Definition

Adjective 1. Causing a harsh, unpleasant, or discordant sound: Describes a noise that is physically grating, unpleasant to hear, and often sudden. 2. Causing a feeling of shock, surprise, or mental discomfort: Describes something that creates a sense of incongruity, conflict, or disturbance, often because it is out of place or clashes with expectations.

Examples

• The jarring sound of the alarm clock woke me from a deep sleep.
• There was a jarring contrast between the modern skyscraper and the historic church next to it.
• His cheerful comment felt jarring in the middle of the somber meeting.
• The sudden shift in the movie's tone from comedy to tragedy was quite jarring.

Advanced Usage

• To have a jarring effect on someone/something: To cause a strong, unsettling impact.
  • The news of the accident had a jarring effect on the entire community.
• Jarringly (adverb): In a way that causes a harsh sound or a sense of shock or incongruity.
  • The bright pink wall was jarringly out of place in the otherwise neutral room.

Variants and Related Words

• Jar (verb): To cause a sudden, unpleasant shock or jolt; to make a harsh, grating sound.
  • The earthquake jarred the entire building.
  • The two opinions jarred against each other.
• Jar (noun): A physical container; or, a jolt or shock.
  • She placed the cookies in a glass jar.
  • The sudden stop gave everyone a jar.

Synonyms

• Discordant: Lacking harmony or agreement; clashing.
• Grating: Irritating or annoying to the senses.
• Cacophonous: Involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
• Incongruous: Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects; out of place.
• Dissonant: Lacking harmony; disagreeing or incongruous.

Antonyms

• Harmonious: Forming a pleasing or consistent whole; free from disagreement.
• Melodious: Pleasant-sounding.
• Soothing: Gently calming.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To jar on someone/the nerves: To have an irritating or unpleasant effect.
  • His constant complaining began to jar on my nerves.
• A jarring note: An element that introduces discord or incongruity into a situation.
  • The politician's angry outburst struck a jarring note during the diplomatic reception.

Adjective

1. making or causing a harsh and irritating sound
   • the jarring noise of the iron gate scraping on the sidewalk