jawbreaker

noun

jaw·​break·​er ˈjȯ-ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce jawbreaker (audio)
1
: a round hard candy
2
: a word difficult to pronounce

Examples of jawbreaker in a Sentence

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.
But other followers guessed Starbursts, Gobstoppers and jawbreakers. — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 In the teen comedy film, which also starred Rose McGowan, Carol Kane and Tatyana Ali, a group of popular girls accidentally kill the prom queen with a jawbreaker when a kidnapping prank goes horribly wrong. — Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 13 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of jawbreaker was in 1839

Rhymes for jawbreaker

See All Rhymes for jawbreaker

Browse Nearby Words

jawboning
jawbreaker
jawbreaking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jawbreaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jawbreaker. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

jawbreaker

noun
jaw·​break·​er -ˌbrā-kər How to pronounce jawbreaker (audio)
: a round hard candy
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All