Jolt

/d͡ʒɒlt/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To push or shake abruptly and roughly..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To push or shake abruptly and roughly.
2. (transitive) To knock sharply
3. (transitive) To shock (someone) into taking action or being alert
4. (transitive) To shock emotionally.
5. (intransitive) To shake; to move with a series of jerks.
6. An act of jolting.
7. A surprise or shock.
8. (slang) A long prison sentence.

Example Sentences

The bus jolted its passengers at every turn.

I jolted her out of complacency.

Her untimely death jolted us all.

The car jolted along the stony path.

Timing your first coffee for mid-morning allows the caffeine to work its magic right as your body’s natural energy starts to wane. Instead of a jolt, you get a smooth, effective lift that carries you through the late morning and into the afternoon.

Just sit down and look around for a while. Notice your cell, John. Take a good look at it, because it is going to be your home for the next ten years. Sure! You have just gotten a ten-year "jolt," John; so settle down and be a good prisoner.

But blow wise to this, buddy, blow wise to this: Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own. Never let nobody talk you into shaking another man's jolt. And never you cop another man's plea. I've tried 'em all and I know. They don't work.

After three "jolts" in prison, three separate periods of incarceration, Braly decided to try his hand at writing.

Synonyms for jolt

Antonyms for jolt

Related Words

Word Forms

• jolts
• jolting
• jolted

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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