jar 1 of 2

noun

Definition of jarnext
1
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things this padded case should protect your laptop from the jars normally experienced while traveling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in surprise
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 & Similar Words
3
as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the jar of a stuck car door

Synonyms & Similar Words

jar

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily those two coworkers have such incompatible personalities that it's no wonder they constantly jar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conflict
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the bright orange of the walls jars with the light pastels of the furnishings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of jar
Noun
This decorative ceramic jar contains a soy wax blend with a lead-free cotton wick. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026 The unnamed passenger told officials that a friend gave him the idea of placing the grenades in a jar of peanut butter to get through TSA. — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Verb
Though on board with his ideas, Bielsa’s blunt and cursory management style also jarred with several players. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026 All of these actors are Black; the sight of Ward and Rose vamping in blonde wigs is intended both to jar and illuminate. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for jar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jar
  1. collision
  2. surprise
  3. scratch
  4. bicker
  5. conflict
  6. thump
  7. shock
  8. scrape
Noun
  • Leaving the scene of a property-damage collision can result in misdemeanor charges, fines and other penalties.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Under California’s vehicle code, hit-and-run collisions that lead to property damage but no injuries are classified as misdemeanors.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of collision
Noun
  • Williams’ decision to leave the position was a big surprise to the mayor, commissioners and residents, though her departure followed months of controversy and scrutiny.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • High temperatures inside a car, even when no one is in it, can lead to some dangerous or messy surprises.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of surprise
Noun
  • Made-from-scratch cheesecake doesn’t seem so hard when made as cupcakes where there’s no water bath, springform pan, and long chilling time required.
    — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
  • The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of scratch
Verb
  • Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
  • The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.
    — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of bicker
Verb
  • Under new head coach Herbert, Canada Basketball has insisted that players be available to the team, if not necessarily to play, during windows that do not conflict with the NBA season.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Taking so many positions means the president can’t be fully wrong while letting the public fix on different, albeit often conflicting, statements that can reinforce their own beliefs.
    — Will Weissert, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Quesst—a needle-nosed experimental aircraft with an airframe designed to reduce the typical sonic boom to a sonic thump.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
  • Not long after, Jamison’s parents reported hearing a loud thump, as though someone had fallen, according to prosecutors.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Definition of thump
Noun
  • Season 3 of the series returned with a bloody episode and a skyrocketing death toll, which continues to rise, as the rival Targaryen factions clashed in the shock-and-awe-inspiring Battle of the Gullet.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Rosenqvist’s departure was a bit of a shock, but Scott Dixon decision to leave Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 years with the team was of seismic proportions.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • Three people were in the silver Chevrolet truck, and all managed to escape with minor cuts and scrapes, the sheriff’s office said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Open wounds include recent cuts and scrapes, surgery sites, and recent tattoos and piercings.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of scrape

Browse Nearby Words

japing
jar
jargon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jar. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on jar

Nglish: Translation of jar for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All