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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bolting
Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
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
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
The trick is integrating them during the remodel, rather than bolting them on after a fall.
—Amy Kunst, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
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
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
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The riverside town is also a jumping off point for the Appalachian Trail and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, also mentioned above.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
-
Commuters across Georgia are feeling the squeeze this week as gasoline prices saw a dramatic spike, jumping nearly 30 cents per gallon in the last week.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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After racing across the state to collect signatures, that campaign, called People Not Politicians, last year turned in more than 300,000 signatures to force a statewide vote on the map in November.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
-
Lawwill retired from motorcycle racing in 1977 after an inner-ear condition compromised his balance.—
Mark Dee
May 9,
Idaho Statesman,
9 May 2026
Verb
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That deadlock prompted an unusually long recess of nearly 90 minutes that was followed by a 6-0 vote in favor of retreating on the bus stops.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Many of them have been linked to retreating glaciers, as melting ice destabilizes the mountains and land that had been covered for centuries.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 May 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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There are no official animal exhibits along the walk, although there are small shelter areas for taking a seat, inhaling nature and feeling nostalgic.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Use caution when working with certain products; inhaling them could cause asthma symptoms.—
Sanja Jelic,
Verywell Health,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even more troubling, predatory supplement companies target youth with deceptive claims about the safety and efficacy of these products, claiming users will lose a rapid amount of weight or achieve a perfect body.—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
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Innovation is the driving force behind societal progress, with rapid advancements occurring at a faster pace than ever before in human history.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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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
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His parents had returned to Poland after fleeing east to the Soviet Union during the Nazi invasion.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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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 12 May. 2026.
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