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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bolt
If this fails, everything not bolted to the floor — Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabe Landeskog, Val Nichushkin and MacKenzie Blackwood — must be slapped with a price tag.
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Compliance By Design: Don’t bolt on risk reviews at the end.
—Abhishek Gandotra, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Meanwhile, Guy has, of course, bolted, taking the satchel back to his gang.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Five years later, Allen bolted to Miami and helped the Heat capture their second straight title, averaging 10.2 points while shooting 40 percent from three-point range and draining the most important shot of the season, a series-saving corner three to tie Game 6 with seconds remaining.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Compliance By Design: Don’t bolt on risk reviews at the end.
—Abhishek Gandotra, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Meanwhile, Guy has, of course, bolted, taking the satchel back to his gang.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Five years later, Allen bolted to Miami and helped the Heat capture their second straight title, averaging 10.2 points while shooting 40 percent from three-point range and draining the most important shot of the season, a series-saving corner three to tie Game 6 with seconds remaining.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
-
Not many people signed, but immediately following Floyd's murder and the protests that ensued, her petition jumped significantly and garnered over 1.6 million signatures.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
Running, jumping and pivoting are things that basketball players kind of do a lot during a game.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Their photos still hang on the dining room wall, along with those of sports stars, racing drivers and other celebrities who found their way to Ponder.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
-
But Kosinski elevates that journey by capturing racing in all of its gorgeous, peculiar glory—there’s never been a portrait of Formula One quite like it.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
There are still questions about the cornerback position and the pass rush, but second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have his unit flying around the field making plays.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The mission is flying to the orbiting lab in a brand-new SpaceX Dragon and will spend about two weeks up there, during which time the crew will conduct about 60 different scientific experiments.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Jane exclaimed of a visit from Mike Modano after the Dallas Stars won the NHL championship in 1999.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2025
-
Over the objection of the racial bias exclaiming defense, the juror, a 41-year-old Black man who works in an administrative role at a state correctional facility, was replaced by an alternate of a 57-year-old White male manufacturing architect from Westchester County.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
The simulant particles are smaller than 2.5 microns (millionths of a meter), small enough to be inhaled and then trapped in the lower airways of the lungs.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
-
Chernobyl nuclear disaster altered the genetics of the dogs left behind, scientists say How does exposure to uranium affect the human body If ingested or inhaled, uranium hexafluoride gas -- in which each of the molecules has six fluorine atoms -- can cause kidney damage, Caffrey said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
For such projects, L.A. County is expediting permitting timelines to speed up fire recovery.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
-
At the other end, Federal trucks sped them to their destinations.—
Chase Peterson-Withorn,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The legislation comes as the country grapples with a severe demographic crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing war with Russia, which has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee abroad.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
The conflict entered its sixth night, as Israel and Iran traded airstrikes that have sent civilians fleeing for safety in Tehran and Tel Aviv.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
But they were awakened around 2 a.m. Saturday by someone pounding on the front door and shouting, asking to enter and identifying himself as a police officer, the family recounted.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
-
Theater talk is some of the most frivolous talk, and it should be shouted from the rooftops.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share