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

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

Involves engineering hurdles Building solar farms on open water involves far more engineering hurdles than bolting panels onto dry land. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Once the unit is fully inside, the installer extends the Pod's outer walls and roof to press up against the van cabin, ensuring no space goes to waste and the anchor points are all lined up and ready to bolt. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing bolt

• bolt from the blue
• bolt out of the blue