jarring

adjective

jar·​ring ˈjär-iŋ How to pronounce jarring (audio)
: having a harshly concussive, disagreeable, or discordant effect
a jarring tackle
It is not hard to imagine how the wounded will fare in a long jarring ride over rough roads …William Baxter
After watching the British reports, I found the American ones jarring.Michael Massing
There is not a single jarring note from the minute you enter this turn-of-the-century palazzo, lovingly restored to its glory days …Kati Marton
jarringly adverb
jarringly harsh language
a jarringly hard hit
… an aroma that I found jarringly distracting … Randal Caparoso
The book is his angry, raunchy, opinionated, sometimes moving, jarringly frank autobiography … Brad Darrach

Examples of jarring in a Sentence

the jarring news that major financial institutions were on the verge of collapse the final chord of that song is too jarring for me
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still to this day, seeing a sea of red robes walking in twos is jarring. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025 Lighting designer Richard Norwood’s overhead fluorescents shine a harsh glare on Bisa’s Victorian-esque costumes, with jarring buzzes from sound designer Rick Sims punctuating the sudden lighting changes. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 All feature colour blending technology which ensures its shifting transitions are never jarring. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 2025 Some people would have preferred a more traditional style, but the new style is not jarring. Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jarring

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jarring was in 1552

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Cite this Entry

“Jarring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jarring. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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