jarring

adjective

jar·​ring ˈjär-iŋ How to pronounce jarring (audio)
: having a harshly concussive, disagreeable, or discordant effect
a jarring tackle
It is not hard to imagine how the wounded will fare in a long jarring ride over rough roads …William Baxter
After watching the British reports, I found the American ones jarring.Michael Massing
There is not a single jarring note from the minute you enter this turn-of-the-century palazzo, lovingly restored to its glory days …Kati Marton
jarringly adverb
jarringly harsh language
a jarringly hard hit
… an aroma that I found jarringly distracting … Randal Caparoso
The book is his angry, raunchy, opinionated, sometimes moving, jarringly frank autobiography … Brad Darrach

Examples of jarring in a Sentence

the jarring news that major financial institutions were on the verge of collapse the final chord of that song is too jarring for me
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the set of the new Prime Video series back in March, the juxtaposition is jarring. EW.com, 15 July 2025 Rather than relying on a post-credits scene to set up DaCosta's film, Boyle opted instead for a tonally jarring final act to his movie. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 11 July 2025 While there's no explicit bloodshed, but the scene is definitely jarring. Devonne Goode, Parents, 11 July 2025 While the change of the U.S.’s position has been jarring to many NATO countries, Plepytė denied that there was any clashing between Vilnius and Washington over Ukraine. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for jarring

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jarring was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jarring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jarring. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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