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
• leap
• wince
• flinch
• cringe
• startle
• 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
• blow
• run
• scoot
• buzz
• dash
• barrel
• ram
• scuttle
• tear
• motor
• step
• shoot
• blast
• rip
• bowl
• belt
• jet
• rocket
• breeze
• zoom
• crack (on)
• jog
• bundle
• hare
• hurl
• blaze
• course
• whirl
• rustle
• pelt
• highball
• whisk
• hie
• hurtle
• career
• hump
• hustle
• bomb
• step on it
• beat it
• hasten
• get a move on
• make tracks
• gallop
• nip
• bustle
• careen
• cannonball
• shake a leg
• hotfoot (it)
• beetle
• flit
• streak
• sprint
• stampede
• scamper
• accelerate
• step out
• scud
• whiz
• arrow
• outrun
• catch up
• quicken
• scuffle
• overtake
• whizz
• 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
• ah
• 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

Examples of bolt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The engine is bolted to a 10 speed Select Shift automatic transmission mated to an advanced 4 wheel drive traction control system, with a new electronically controlled on demand 2 speed transfer case, with front and rear locking differentials. —Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024

The Rebels now play in the Mountain West Conference, which will soon lose Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State to the rebuilt Pac-12, which was torn to shreds by its legacy schools bolting to the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC. —David K. Li, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2024

In deciding to bolt, Musk lashed out about a new state law that prohibits mandating that teachers notify families about student gender identity changes. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

When the weather gets too warm, collards tend to bolt (flower and go to seed). —Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2024

Phrases Containing bolt

• bolt from the blue
• bolt out of the blue