as in rushing
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1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in racing
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 retreating
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in exclaiming
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling
bolted out the cuss word without thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in inhaling
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
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Recent Examples of bolting
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
To avoid bolting, plant spinach four to six weeks before the last frost in your region, or plant in late summer for a fall harvest.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Who the Aggies lost/gained through transfer portal UCD lost some firepower through the portal with Pinnick heading to Washington State and 2025 leading rusher Carter Vargas bolting for the Bay Area to play for Cal.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
In fact, partial shade can help delay bolting (flowering) of this cool-season crop.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While staff were momentarily stunned by the sheer volume of the steal, the suspect took advantage of the distraction, untangling himself from the struggle and bolting for the exit before police could arrive.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
That was, until September 2024 when Gunner was sunbathing outside and suddenly spotted a bunny, bolting after it immediately.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
That was accomplished by bolting together several aluminum panels.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
None bigger than the bombshell on April 28 that this OPEC stalwart for nearly 60 years is bolting.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
To avoid bolting, plant spinach four to six weeks before the last frost in your region, or plant in late summer for a fall harvest.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Who the Aggies lost/gained through transfer portal UCD lost some firepower through the portal with Pinnick heading to Washington State and 2025 leading rusher Carter Vargas bolting for the Bay Area to play for Cal.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
In fact, partial shade can help delay bolting (flowering) of this cool-season crop.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
While staff were momentarily stunned by the sheer volume of the steal, the suspect took advantage of the distraction, untangling himself from the struggle and bolting for the exit before police could arrive.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
That was, until September 2024 when Gunner was sunbathing outside and suddenly spotted a bunny, bolting after it immediately.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
That was accomplished by bolting together several aluminum panels.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolting
Verb
-
Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Rioux dunks without jumping, a feat highlighted by his first college field goal against Saint Francis in December 2025 and a memorable March Madness moment in 2026 with an offensive rebound and put-back dunk.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Beyond that, two of the highlights of the horse racing calendar take place at Churchill Downs on Friday and Saturday, while the Formula One season resumes after a long hiatus with the Miami Grand Prix.—
The Athletic Live Team,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Agents racing to apprehend him, seen in this photo, also released by the president.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your husband has a long history of crossing the line and then retreating back just far enough that there’s an illusion of change.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Chrysler, facing financial pressure, rushed to graft increasingly conventional grilles onto the rounded nose, retreating year by year from the very aerodynamic principles that made the car more efficient.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On a street by the harbor, crowds of people were squinting into the distance, exclaiming every time the whale exhaled.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
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Residovic is heard exclaiming in the footage.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For breathwork, Yasinksi recommends inhaling for four seconds, pausing for four seconds at the top, and then exhaling slowly.—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Those with asthma or other breathing illnesses are more sensitive to hydrogen sulfide and may have trouble breathing after inhaling it.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Attendees donated blood and were provided free blood pressure readings, glucose screenings, rapid HIV testing and information on health and other resources available in the community.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His parents had returned to Poland after fleeing east to the Soviet Union during the Nazi invasion.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Uganda has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflict in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi and South Sudan.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolting. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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