bolt

1
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers

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2
3
4
as in to exclaim
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling bolted out the cuss word without thinking

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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

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
  • The stock has jumped 16% in just a week, reaching a new 52-week high of $18.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • According to the city’s projections, the sales tax will jump from $39 million to $41 million and property taxes will increase from $16 million to $17 million.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • How one man raced 25 miles to save guests at his Texas RV park As the Guadalupe River muscled over its banks at speed, David Chambers knocked on one door after another at his RV resort.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 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
  • 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
  • The film is projected to earn $24 million over the weekend and speed past $107 million by Sunday.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Simmons is then accused of carjacking a vehicle from someone who was at the medical facility and fleeing the scene.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • Cuomo, pushing back on Mamdani’s proposals, claimed that the tax hikes would prompt many rich people and businesses to flee, thereby undermining the city’s tax base.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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