Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

jar

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of jar

1 a forceful coming together of two things

  • this padded case should protect your laptop from the jars normally experienced while traveling
Synonyms of jar

bump, collision, concussion, crash, impact, impingement, jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam, smash, strike, wallop
Words Related to jar

blow, buffet, hit, knock, punch, rap, slap, thump

bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing

contact, encounter, meeting, touch

2 something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected

  • the flow of her day was interrupted with the jar of an unexpected crisis
Synonyms of jar

bombshell, jaw-dropper, jolt, stunner, surprise (also surprize)
Words Related to jar

shock, thunderclap

eye-opener, revelation, shocker

amazement, marvel, wonder

fillip, kick, kicker, twist, wrinkle
Phrases Synonymous with jar

bolt from the blue (also bolt out of the blue)

3 a harsh grating sound

  • the jar of a stuck car door
Synonyms of jar

creak, grind, rasp, scrape, scratch
Words Related to jar

clang, clangor, clank, clash, jangle

scuff

croak, gargle

blast, bleat, bray, screech

jar

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of jar

1 to express different opinions about something often angrily

  • those two coworkers have such incompatible personalities that it's no wonder they constantly jar
Synonyms of jar

altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle
Words Related to jar

challenge, dare, defy

clash, contend, contest, tangle

cavil, fuss, nitpick

consider, debate, discuss

kick, object, protest
Phrases Synonymous with jar

bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up
Near Antonyms of jar

coexist, get along

accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

2 to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably

  • the bright orange of the walls jars with the light pastels of the furnishings
Synonyms of jar

clash, collide, conflict, disaccord, discord
Words Related to jar

battle, combat, engage, fight, war (against)

chafe, gall, grate, jangle

differ, disagree, dissent
Near Antonyms of jar

agree, assent, coincide, concur, correspond
Antonyms of jar

accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match

Learn More about jar

  1. See words that rhyme with jar Dictionary: Definition of jar Spanish Central: Translation of jar Nglish: Translation of jar for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jar for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up jar? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games