1
2
as in to race
to proceed or move quickly
the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fly
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bolt
That was, until September 2024 when Gunner was sunbathing outside and suddenly spotted a bunny, bolting after it immediately.
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs since bolted for a sweetheart deal in Kansas.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The last time a technology promised to remake business—when the internet emerged in the 1990s—most companies bolted it on and hoped for the best.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Rumors flew that when his contract was up this summer, after the inevitable early-round playoff exit, James would bolt.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs since bolted for a sweetheart deal in Kansas.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The last time a technology promised to remake business—when the internet emerged in the 1990s—most companies bolted it on and hoped for the best.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Rumors flew that when his contract was up this summer, after the inevitable early-round playoff exit, James would bolt.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
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His mere presence appeared to energize the Warriors early, with Golden State making 5 of its first 7 shots and Gui Santos scoring eight points as the Warriors jumped out to a 13-6 lead after three and a half minutes.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
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The hand-wound caliber, which features a flyback chronograph and a jumping-minute counter, was built around asymmetrical architecture that gives it that quintessentially Rexhepi feel.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The paying public went from raucous to delirious on the next possession, when Curry raced downcourt and splashed a triple off the dribble.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Leonard scored 13 points in the first quarter as the Clippers raced out to a double-digit lead and coasted against a Kings team that is playing out the string of a lost season.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By then, red flags were already flying.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The pair launched a fundraiser to pay for more helicopter flying hours and advanced search gear.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump exclaimed on Truth Social after his initial call for help was rebuffed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Denard exclaims, using an emerging slur against robots and AI.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once airborne, these microscopic spores are easily inhaled without people realizing it.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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When spores are inhaled, symptoms include fever, nausea and chest pain.—
Hannah Kinzer,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is a novel about Jewish bodies and how people respond to them, the toll of obsession, and the conflicting currents of desire and unease that shake and startle a deep romantic fixation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Kevin Uribe, another employee, said the sound of the collapse initially startled him.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Radical changes announced in February by new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to speed up the country’s return to the moon could make the program more reliant on SpaceX on future launches.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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If the state approves these changes, New York City will be able to speed up too — our administration will ensure that rezoning applications can begin public review in six months or less.—
Leila Bozorg,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One occupant fled outside, while the other tried to fight the blaze, the department said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This reform hasn’t fixed California’s cost-of-living issues or kept people from fleeing.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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