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
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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
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Some organizations are bolting AI onto legacy workflows and gaining marginal productivity.
—Mohamad Ali, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
Temperatures consistently above 70ºF will cause bolting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The handshake after the wild-card game was even shorter than the first, as Johnson ran up to LaFleur and shook his hand before bolting off.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The police footage shows the man turning and bolting away from officers before quickly tripping over his own feet just a few steps past his car.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
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
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
Verb
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Some organizations are bolting AI onto legacy workflows and gaining marginal productivity.
—Mohamad Ali, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
Temperatures consistently above 70ºF will cause bolting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The handshake after the wild-card game was even shorter than the first, as Johnson ran up to LaFleur and shook his hand before bolting off.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The police footage shows the man turning and bolting away from officers before quickly tripping over his own feet just a few steps past his car.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolting
Verb
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The male has binoculars scanning the sea, while the female guard is in action, as if jumping off of a tower, fins and buoy in hand.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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The Big Dog is jumping up and down excitedly behind Orion, who is trying to deal with Taurus the Bull, who is charging down on him from his other side.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Phelps was also lauded for expanding NASCAR's international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter agreements, and building a leadership team that is focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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Admire holiday toy trains racing through a miniature metropolis.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Clarkson can be heard exclaiming in a video shared online.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nearly all the health damage from smoking comes from inhaling smoke produced by burning tobacco, not from nicotine itself.—
Kevin Bardosh,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Keep peppermint oil away from babies and young children, as inhaling the menthol in the oil may cause serious side effects for them.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Across the city, mutual-aid and rapid-response networks are coordinating food, rides, childcare, rent assistance, and medical support so families can keep living without exposing themselves to risk.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Kindred, which owns both Orange County facilities, has refused to pay workers enough to avoid rapid turnover that has contributed to understaffing.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But one weekend in November, people who would typically be hurrying by, staring down at their phones, stopped.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
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Butler began hurrying Boise State and pushing up the tempo, which allowed the Broncos to score off several backdoor cuts and slip screens for big dunks and layups at the rim.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
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At that same time, Daniels-Strickland allegedly turned and pulled out a handgun from his waistband and fired an unknown number of shots at Clark, Knowles and another person before fleeing the area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
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In Miami, an 88-year-old survivor remembers fleeing on foot at age four, forced into cattle cars and sent to Siberia.—
Talia Kaplan,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolting. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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