Synonyms of bolt

bolt

verb

1

as in to fly

to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening

the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fly
• flee
• retreat
• run
• escape
• break
• run off
• run away
• beat a retreat
• turn tail
• bug out
• beat it
• skedaddle
• make tracks
• hightail (it)
• get (away)
• get out
• skip (out)
• light out
• scram
• clear out
• abscond
• decamp
• elope
• make off
• lam
• skirr
• scat
• scarper
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• face
• confront
• dare
• beard
• defy
• remain
• stay
• dwell
• brave
• linger
• abide
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

2

as in to jump

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)

I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jump
• startle
• leap
• wince
• flinch
• cringe
• jerk
• recoil
• start
• twitch
• spring
• jolt
• spook
• bound
• react
• shrink
• quail
• blench
• respond
• squinch

3

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly

the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• race
• speed
• rush
• fly
• hurry
• drive
• travel
• zip
• scurry
• trot
• jump
• dart
• chase
• run
• blow
• scoot
• buzz
• dash
• barrel
• ram
• tear
• scuttle
• motor
• step
• shoot
• blast
• rip
• belt
• bowl
• jet
• rocket
• breeze
• zoom
• crack (on)
• jog
• bundle
• hare
• hurl
• blaze
• course
• rustle
• whirl
• pelt
• highball
• whisk
• hie
• hurtle
• career
• hump
• hustle
• bomb
• beat it
• hasten
• get a move on
• make tracks
• nip
• gallop
• bustle
• careen
• step on it
• cannonball
• shake a leg
• hotfoot (it)
• beetle
• flit
• streak
• sprint
• stampede
• scamper
• accelerate
• step out
• scud
• whiz
• arrow
• outrun
• catch up
• quicken
• scuffle
• overtake
• outpace
• outstrip
• beeline
• fast-forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• creep
• drag
• crawl
• poke
• lag
• hang (around or out)
• poke
• linger
• tarry
• stroll
• lumber
• loiter
• dawdle
• saunter
• shuffle
• slow (down or up)
• amble
• decelerate
• plod
• dillydally
• dally

4

as in to exclaim

to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling

bolted out the cuss word without thinking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exclaim
• shout
• cry (out)
• roar
• ejaculate
• bellow
• blurt (out)
• blat
• leak
• interject
• holler
• howl
• whoop
• crow
• blunder
• hoot
• bleat
• yowl
• ooh
• aah

5

as in to inhale

to swallow or eat greedily

the way you bolted those hot dogs, it's no wonder you're feeling a little queasy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inhale
• devour
• wolf
• gulp
• scarf
• slop
• gobble
• raven
• cram
• scoff
• gorge
• glut
• ingurgitate
• gormandize
• pig out
• swill
• overeat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pick
• peck
• nibble

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bolt

Flipping the lecture cycle Classically, engineering courses default to hours of lectures where students are expected to take notes, with problem sets and exams bolted on. — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal. — Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Along with preaching meritocracy, Rolapp brought up rules that applied to the players who bolted for LIV Golf with big signing bonuses. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

However, autumn is also the best time to harvest late plantings of cold tolerant crops that would otherwise bolt if they were planted in summer, as well as cut flowers and bouquets to spruce up autumn harvest tables. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing bolt

• bolt from the blue
• bolt out of the blue