jolt

9 definitions • 16 examples

to (cause something or someone to) move suddenly and violently:

The train stopped unexpectedly and we were jolted forwards.

The truck jolted along the rough track through the field.

to shock someone in order to change their behaviour or way of thinking:

The charity used photos of starving children in an attempt to jolt the public conscience (= make people feel guilty and take action).

to give someone a sudden shock that forces them to act:

The news about Sam's illness jolted her into action.

a sudden violent movement:

As the plane touched the ground, there was a massive jolt and we were thrown forwards.

I woke up with a jolt as I thought I heard my bedroom door being pushed open.

an unpleasant shock or surprise:

His self-confidence took a sudden jolt with the news that he had not been selected.

to cause something or someone to move suddenly and violently, or to surprise someone in an unpleasant way:

I was jolted out of bed by the earthquake.

He was jolted by the sight of bodies lying in the lobby.

a sudden, violent movement or force, or a large and unpleasant surprise:

jolts of electricity

She bumped into him, and the jolt sent his books to the ground.

Jack realized with a jolt of fear that he was helpless.

an unexpected event that makes prices, levels of activity, etc. change suddenly:

a jolt to sth Following the jolt to markets caused by fears about higher inflation, traders remain cautious.

get/receive/suffer a jolt

to make prices, levels of activity, etc. change suddenly:

Rising oil prices and the continued slump in the housing market combined to jolt consumer confidence.

be jolted by sth Global markets have been jolted by the half point rise in US interest rates.