Synonyms of bolt

bolt

verb

1

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

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

• 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

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

• 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

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

Unlike its predecessor model, the NZ’s frame was welded instead of bolted together. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026

Allen, the runner on second, bolted for third and found himself in a pickle when Adames threw to third baseman Christian Koss. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Very hot weather encourages bolting, or the production of flowers and eventually seeds, which can draw energy away from leaf production. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026

Police wrestled him down, and Fauci, dressed in his white lab coat, bolted downstairs. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing bolt

• bolt from the blue
• bolt out of the blue