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
In return, the shade cast by rising tomato plants can help provide some protective cover for the lettuce and stop it from bolting (flowering, which turns the leaves bitter and dry) during the heat of summer.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
When police officers arrived and tried to help the boy, Monzo sprang from bushes nearby and bolted.
—Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Washington’s first trip to the Palouse since bolting the Pac-12.
Week 5: Oregon at Penn State.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 June 2025
In many businesses, these systems were bolted on over time, creating data silos and integration headaches.
—Mahesh Rajasekharan, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
When police officers arrived and tried to help the boy, Monzo sprang from bushes nearby and bolted.
—Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Washington’s first trip to the Palouse since bolting the Pac-12.
Week 5: Oregon at Penn State.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 June 2025
In many businesses, these systems were bolted on over time, creating data silos and integration headaches.
—Mahesh Rajasekharan, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
-
In 2024, Wimbledon’s viewership in India jumped 176%, hitting 36.3 million across TV and digital.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
As Vulcano chokes on an object, the camera quickly jumps to PinkPantheress watching in shock.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
In the final kilometers, Gall rises from his saddle to race through corners, long legs on full display.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
The unlikely pair must race against the clock to save all of humanity after tomb hunters unwittingly set loose a 3,000-year-old vengeful reincarnation of an Egyptian priest.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
Gunn’s approach is colorful, in both its palette and the costumes; proudly fantastical, with flying orbs, robots, portals, and giant monsters; and at times endearingly, intentionally corny (see: Krypto the super dog).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Harold had exclaimed when the fetid, turquoise sea had at last come into view.—
Nicole Krauss,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
There will be a lot of musical theater songs at the Royal Albert Hall, Scherzinger exclaims.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Lime dries out lungs by drawing out moisture from skin and when it’s inhaled, according to the report.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2025
-
In all its momentum, the show’s biggest obstacle appeared to be a moth, which Jenkins inhaled and choked on near the end of the show.—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The film is projected to earn $24 million over the weekend and speed past $107 million by Sunday.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 July 2025
-
Ionic technology, on the other hand, speeds up dry time and cuts frizz (especially helpful in humid weather) but can leave fine hair looking too sleek or limp if overused.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
In July 1987, flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County forced hundreds of people to flee the area.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
Some thought the noises were gunfire, which prompted large groups to flee the park.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Because real branding isn’t about turning heads at the Met Gala or chasing clicks or shouting the loudest in the room.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The chief example of rudeness here is shouting admonishments at other opera patrons.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share