Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock: Describes a state of being mentally or emotionally unsettled, startled, or shocked, often suddenly.
   • Bumped or shaken jerkily: Describes something or someone that has been subjected to a sudden, rough, jolting movement.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Mentally/Emotionally Disturbed):

  • She was jolted by the unexpected news of his resignation.
  • The witness had a jolted expression after seeing the accident.

• Adjective (Physically Shaken):

  • The jolted passengers held on tightly as the bus went over the potholes.
  • We felt jolted after the car hit a deep rut in the road.

Advanced Usage

• "to be jolted into (action/awareness)": To be suddenly shocked or startled into taking an action or realizing something.
  • The alarming report jolted the committee into reviewing their safety protocols.
  • He was jolted into awareness by the loud crash.

Variants and Related Words

• Jolt (verb/noun): To cause to move suddenly and roughly; a sudden rough movement or shock.

  • The earthquake jolted the building. (verb)
  • The train started with a jolt. (noun)

• Jolting (adjective): Causing a sudden shock or surprise; causing a jerky movement.

  • It was a jolting experience to see the destruction.

Synonyms

• Shaken: Agitated or disturbed emotionally or physically.
• Stunned: So shocked that one is temporarily unable to react.
• Jarred: Shaken abruptly and forcefully.

Antonyms

• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions; peaceful.
• Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.

Related Phrases

• Jolt to the system: A sudden and unpleasant shock that disrupts one's normal state.
  • Losing his job was a real jolt to the system.

Adjective

1. disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
   • retrieved his named from her jolted memory
   • the accident left her badly shaken
2. bumped or shaken jerkily
   • the jolted passengers