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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2025
Those types of plays transform the Bulls offense — cracking open a defensive setup, sending a jolt of discouragement through an opposing defender.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 29 Mar. 2025
Last weekend, the race was jolted by a social media post from Lee Zeldin, the new administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who railed against cross-border sewage spills from Tijuana.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
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Noun
Here’s one auction to watch if your car collection is in need of a jolt of electricity.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2025
Those types of plays transform the Bulls offense — cracking open a defensive setup, sending a jolt of discouragement through an opposing defender.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Trump administration’s hard turn toward Russia in its push to end the Ukraine war has jolted Europe, and nationals of friendly countries have been wrapped up in hard-line domestic policies toward immigrants and anti-Israel protesters.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 29 Mar. 2025
Last weekend, the race was jolted by a social media post from Lee Zeldin, the new administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who railed against cross-border sewage spills from Tijuana.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 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 9 Apr. 2025.
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