jolt

1 of 2

noun

ˈjōlt 

1

: an abrupt, sharp, jerky blow or movement

awoke with a jolt

2

a(1)

: a sudden feeling of shock, surprise, or disappointment

the news gave them a jolt

(2)

: an event or development causing such a feeling

the defeat was quite a jolt

b

: a serious setback or reverse

a severe financial jolt

3

: a small but potent or bracing portion of something

a jolt of horseradish

jolty

ˈjōl-tē 

adjective

jolt

2 of 2

verb

jolted; jolting; jolts

transitive verb

1

a

: to disturb the composure of : shock

… crudely jolted out of that mood …

—Virginia Woolf

an announcement that jolted the community

b

: to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly

… determination to pursue his own course was jolted badly …

—F. L. Paxson

2

: to cause to move with a sudden jerky motion

passengers being jolted along a bumpy road

3

: to give a knock or blow to

specifically : to jar with a quick or hard blow

intransitive verb

: to move with a sudden jerky motion

jolter noun

Synonyms of jolt

Noun

• collision
• shock
• thump
• crash
• impact
• blow

Verb

• shake
• shudder
• jerk
• vibrate

Examples of jolt in a Sentence

Noun

I sprang out of bed with a jolt.

The car stopped with a jolt.

I got quite a jolt when I heard the door slam.

The defeat was quite a jolt to the team.

The stock market suffered a major jolt yesterday.

She needed a jolt of caffeine to start her day.

The unexpected praise he received gave him a jolt of confidence.

Verb

The explosion jolted the ship.

He was jolted forward when the bus stopped suddenly.

The loud bang jolted me awake.

The attack jolted the country into action.

She jolted the medical world with her announcement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Condiments should be sharp—a savory jolt of mignonette or vinegary hot sauce, an austere spritz of lemon—and the same goes for drinks. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

The first jolt arrived Wednesday when the Treasury Department announced plans to significantly increase its buybacks of long-term Treasurys, or government debt. — Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

If Episode 1 put me to sleep, Episode 2 quickly jolted me awake. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

The war in Iran has jolted gas and diesel markets with little end in sight. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of jolt entry 2

Verb

perhaps blend of early Modern English joll, jowl "to strike" and jot "to bump"

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing jolt

• jolt-wagon

Rhymes for jolt

• bolt
• boult
• colt
• molt
• moult
• poult
• smolt
• volt
• volte
• kilovolt
• millivolt
• landolt

Kids Definition

jolt

1 of 2 verb

ˈjōlt 

1

: to give a quick hard blow to : jar

2

: to move jerkily

jolter noun

jolt

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sudden jarring blow or movement

2

: a sudden shock or surprise