What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jarred
Example
The loud noise jarred me awake from my sleep. [jarred: verb]
Example
The news of her friend's death jarred her emotionally. [jarred: past tense]
Example
The bright pink walls of the office jarred with the otherwise neutral decor. [jarred: verb]
unsettle
Example
The strange noises in the old house unsettled me. [unsettled: verb]
Example
The sudden change in plans unsettled her. [unsettled: past tense]
Example
The news of the company's bankruptcy unsettled the employees. [unsettle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unsettle is more commonly used than jarred in everyday language. Unsettle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while jarred is less common and tends to be used in specific situations where a sudden and intense shock or disturbance is involved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jarred and unsettle?
Both jarred and unsettle are relatively formal words, but unsettle may be slightly more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
