Skip to main content
to jam

to jam

15 3.4
Push something quickly and hard into place
  • verb
  • /dʒæm/
translation icon : apretar
  • He quickly jammed the stick into the narrow opening to fix the fence.
  • jam on the brakes
  • jam on the pedal
  • jam a fist

Examples

  • Reacting to the shot, Perdita jams the gear shift into reverse and peels out, knocking the deputy down.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I gotta jam this cable into the drum.

  • Now you, like, jam it in the top and pull down.

  • I want you to jam the cell grid.

  • And I'm gonna jam it.

  • Well, if it's painted shut and you use a screwdriver to jam it, it sometimes...

  • CUT TO: EXT: CONVENIENCE STORE. MORNING. DANTE tries to jam the key into the window shutter lock.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • An ambassador car swerves in front of Hasari, forcing him to jam to a stop, jolting the kids.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I need you to jam the suitcase shut before we leave for the airport.

  • She had to jam the last book onto the shelf, making sure it fit tightly among the others.

Synonyms

to force
vsto jam
376 1.9

To push something so it moves or opens

is specifically a sudden urgent downward pressing rather than broad physical effort
to slam
vsto jam
323 2.3

To close or hit something with great force and make a loud noise

is similar in force but emphasizes a quick downward press without noise focus
to bang
vsto jam
318 1.0

To hit or close something suddenly and loudly

is a sudden downward press that focuses on urgency rather than noise
to slam the door
vsto jam
  • Informal
56 2.4

Close a door loudly and hard when angry or impatient

is an urgent downward press in general situations, not only door closing
shove
vsto jam
31 2.7

A quick strong push that moves someone or something

is a sudden downward press done urgently rather than a general push
thrust
vsto jam
26 4.2

A strong sudden push often made with a hand or weapon

is focused on pressing downward urgently rather than a forward movement
to press down
vsto jam
18 2.5

To push something down with force to make it flat or close it

is done more suddenly and with urgent effort rather than steady pressure
to slam shut
vsto jam
  • Informal
17 2.7

To close a door or window quickly and hard so it makes a loud noise

is a sudden downward press rather than specifically violent closing action
to push down
vsto jam
16 2.0

Make something move down by using force

is more sudden and urgent, not just ordinary downward movement
to slam down
vsto jam
  • Informal
14 6.0

Put something down hard so it makes a loud noise or quickly drink something

is a sudden downward press rather than mainly placing something down
to press down on
vsto jam
8 2.2

Push something down using your hand or weight

is quicker and more forceful, done with urgency instead of steady weight
to ram down
vsto jam
1 7.1

To force something down by hitting it hard

is a forceful downward press done quickly, not only heavy striking
smash
vsto jam
5.0

Happening with a sudden loud crash

is about pressing down quickly, not primarily about breaking or noise

Antonyms

1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

553 1.0

To raise something higher by hand or with a machine

Idioms

in a jam
  • Informal
14 6.7

In trouble and needing help to fix a problem

money for jam
  • Archaic
8.3

Easy extra pay for very little work

To make someone feel disappointed or upset

Phrasal Verbs

to jam up
  • Informal
8 4.7

Become blocked so things cannot move or work

to blanket jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block a wide range of radio frequencies at once so radios in an area cannot work

to barrage jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block many radio channels so signals cannot be sent or received

to point jam
  • Specialized
9.9

To block a narrow radio channel to stop communications

to spot jam
  • Specialized
9.1

To intentionally block a single radio or radar frequency using electronic signals

Compounds

35 1.0

Many cars are stuck and move very slowly on a road

jam session
  • Informal
9 3.9

A meeting of musicians who make up music and play together without planning

A sweet spread people make from strawberries and sugar to put on bread or pastries

A sweet spread you make by cooking medlar fruit with sugar

jam box
  • Informal
7.8

A small loud speaker you carry to play music outdoors

jam tomorrow
  • Informal
9.9

A promise of good things in the future that never comes

How Forceful

ram
18 5.4
slam
85 2.1
to jam
15 3.4
shove
31 2.7
push
138 1.0
press
11 1.3

Surface Forms

jam infinitive
jammed past
jammed past participle
jamming present participle
jams third person singular

Etymology

Jam meaning to push something down hard comes from the idea of forcing or pressing suddenly into a tight place, like a strong 'push'. So you 'jam' a lid or pedal when you push it hard to make it fit or work quickly.