jarring 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjär-iŋ How to pronounce jarring (audio)
Definition of jarringnext
1
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the jarring news that major financial institutions were on the verge of collapse

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2
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense the final chord of that song is too jarring for me

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jarring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of jar
1
as in bickering
to express different opinions about something often angrily those two coworkers have such incompatible personalities that it's no wonder they constantly jar

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2
as in clashing
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the bright orange of the walls jars with the light pastels of the furnishings

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of jarring
Adjective
One of the most jarring elements of Baird’s documentary — as with most nonfiction projects about Palestinians released in the last few years — is how much of the language featured in the film echoes the contemporary moment. — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026 Every detail is superb, from the double strap across the chest to the collar, to the slightly off-white background which means that the bright secondary colours aren’t too jarring. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
And though the plot of Kidman’s abusive boyfriend Jimmy Angelov (played by Goran Visnjic) felt jarring to some, Dunne personally related, as his sister, actress Dominique Dunne, was murdered by her ex in 1982. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026 The jarring declaration comes after a massive overnight assault that killed 12 people in Ukraine and injured at least a dozen more. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jarring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jarring
  1. surprising
  2. loud
  3. bickering
  4. clashing
  5. startling
  6. harsh
  7. arguing
  8. conflicting
Adjective
  • The claim that mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in mental health disorders as well as physical ones is surprising to many people.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Louis-Dreyfus works to make Polly relatable, a surprising choice for one of television’s most astringent comic presences.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprising
Adjective
  • Where the movies are big, loud, overpopulated machines, the TV series are full of interesting ideas, weird notions and good comedy and give their characters room to breathe.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The doors finally open Store Manager Patrick McGuinness welcomed customers pushing their shopping carts into the store while leading loud chants, such as spelling out Wegmans letter by letter.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of loud
Verb
  • Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bickering
Verb
  • Several hundred mostly young people protested in Brussels on Saturday, according to Reuters, clashing with police in protests at least partly inspired by what is going on in France.
    — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Michigan gubernatorial candidates Jocelyn Benson and John James laid out competing plans for the state's future during a debate Thursday night, clashing over affordability, taxes, data centers, education and health care.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clashing
Adjective
  • The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holcomb combines a startling precociousness with a moxie that has already shattered expectations.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • While the numbers are startling, Ohtani's at-bats suggest something isn't right.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • And now those still left in the battered city along Ukraine's southeastern front face death from hunger or disease as another harsh winter looms, with no agreement in sight for even a humanitarian evacuation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Despite low winds and little rain, harsh surf continues to wreak havoc along Southern California's coastal communities.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Verb
  • By arguing for the necessity of the chains of deportation today, Vance makes an eerily similar case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Good luck enforcing Potemkin guarantees from hyperscalers or arguing that local protests excuse a construction delay that blew a hole in the financing.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguing
Verb
  • These symptoms occur because the brain receives conflicting information from the eyes and the balance organs in the inner ear.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Articles, images, stray clippings, as well as my own painting and drawing end up filling the pages, often conflicting and complementing each other.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of conflicting

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Cite this Entry

“Jarring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jarring. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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