ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jarring

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdʒɑɹɪŋ// UK //dʒˈɑːɹɪŋ// jar·ring

adj. feeling or looking very different from everything else in a way that is unpleasant or shocking. You use it when something does not fit in and makes you feel uncomfortable.

adj. clashing or incongruous in a manner that causes a physical or emotional shock. Often used to describe sounds, colors, or transitions that are unpleasantly inconsistent with their surroundings.


SIMPLE

The bright yellow wall is jarring in this dark room.

CONTEXTUAL

The sudden shift from a quiet piano solo to loud heavy metal was jarring for the audience.

COMPLEX

The architect's decision to place a glass skyscraper next to the medieval cathedral created a jarring contrast that sparked intense debate among the local preservationists.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From jar (“to clash, conflict, disturb”) + -ing.

Etymology 2

From jar + -ing.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'seem', or attributively before a noun.

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