1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bolting
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Cool-season planting keeps parsley from bolting, or going to seed quickly.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
While this is a bane to many gardeners (bolting often renders plants bitter, woody, and inedible), in this strife also lies opportunity for those gardeners aiming toward environmental stewardship.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
This does not mean bolting on new features to your existing products, nor hiring an AI person here or there.
—Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
As reports from the Ukraine war show, taking a drone and bolting a Claymore mine to it isn't new.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Toronto’s fielding fails them Addison Barger stared at the sky, bolting to his right as Austin Wells’ fly ball fell.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Cool-season planting keeps parsley from bolting, or going to seed quickly.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
While this is a bane to many gardeners (bolting often renders plants bitter, woody, and inedible), in this strife also lies opportunity for those gardeners aiming toward environmental stewardship.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
This does not mean bolting on new features to your existing products, nor hiring an AI person here or there.
—Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
As reports from the Ukraine war show, taking a drone and bolting a Claymore mine to it isn't new.
—New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolting
Verb
-
Even the field goal block right there, [DE] Sam [Williams] is jumping over with the block.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Daniels has made an impact beyond jumping to the top of the depth chart; his attitude rubs off on everybody.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That day, Kelce paced around the house, saying his heart was racing as blackout drapes were installed on every window.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Once a rarity, a Porsche fetching more than seven figures at auction is becoming an increasingly common occurrence, especially for bygone-era cars with plenty of racing provenance attached.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world, sea ice is rapidly retreating.—
Nell Lewis,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Browse books, play pool, and spin records in the Living Room before retreating to the 5,600-square-foot spa, complete with a Himalayan salt room, Finnish sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, and treatments by sustainable Italian brand Comfort Zone, among others.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Try slowly inhaling for a count of 4 and exhaling for a count of 8, lengthening the exhale.—
Kate Pitts,
Outside,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Simply inhaling for four counts and exhaling for four counts brings oxygen to your muscles, reducing the emotion's intensity and relaxing the body.—
Juli Fraga,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Groves had eluded capture for nearly five months after fleeing the New Orleans jail through a hole behind a toilet.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
That man, Jermain Hall, has since been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jose Mourinho, who was Roma’s manager at the time, criticised Taylor’s performance at full time and was later filmed shouting at the English official in the stadium car park.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The other glaringly absent figure is Linda’s husband, Charles, who is played by Christian Slater but, for most of the film, is only a voice on the other end of a phone line, shouting irritably and defensively in Linda’s ear.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many of the people devouring YoungBoy’s endless stream of new music have also been devouring news of his various altercations and legal cases.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Since his introduction in Peacemaker’s first season, the sarcastic, Cheeto-devouring martial arts expert has been one of the sharpest thorns in the sides of the 11th Street Kids.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolting. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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