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
jolted; jolting; jolts
1
a
: to disturb the composure of : shock
crudely jolted out of that mood—
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolfan 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
F. L. Paxson2
: 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
: to move with a sudden jerky motion
jolter
noun
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
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The particular intersection of communities depicted here (LGBTQ and Muslim), as well as a handful of Sapphic scenes for the ages, gives the drama an undeniable jolt of freshness.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 15 May 2025
In late March and early April, married borrowers were jolted by confusing signals from the Education Department about whether spousal income might suddenly be counted in IDR payments, even for those filing separately.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
Now, the Red Sox seem to be turning toward Campbell as an option at first base, a move that would open the door for top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer to play second base and perhaps spark a lineup desperately in need of a jolt.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The particular intersection of communities depicted here (LGBTQ and Muslim), as well as a handful of Sapphic scenes for the ages, gives the drama an undeniable jolt of freshness.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Verb
Be aware that closing the drawer while your bedmate is sleeping will absolutely jolt them awake.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 15 May 2025
In late March and early April, married borrowers were jolted by confusing signals from the Education Department about whether spousal income might suddenly be counted in IDR payments, even for those filing separately.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jolt. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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