as in rushing
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bolting
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 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
Even after bolting, your parsley can still serve a purpose in the garden.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
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
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
Verb
Moments later, bodycam video shows Hairston suddenly bolting from deputies, stumbling into the road and engaging in a struggle with deputies.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 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
Even after bolting, your parsley can still serve a purpose in the garden.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
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
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
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The enduring moment of the game is probably the deep touchdown pass between Shough and Chris Olave — the one that saw Olave shrugging off cornerback Jaycee Horn and then scampering into the end zone, then jumping into a Panthers field-side fan section.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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In one impressive video, the teenager could be seen jumping over a large hill on her bike before zooming around a corner.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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
-
Admire holiday toy trains racing through a miniature metropolis.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the opening, Natalie, bored and filled with loathing for her parents, flees her family home by retreating into imaginary worlds of vivid, eroticized violence.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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Even with state and federal backing, developers are retreating and selling properties, signaling that grassroots activism is fundamentally reshaping Big Tech’s expansion strategy.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Clarkson can be heard exclaiming in a video shared online.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Thousands more firefighters, fire officers, EMTs and recovery workers are battling cancers, lung disease, heart conditions, digestive disorders and other chronic illnesses caused by inhaling Ground Zero toxins.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 Dec. 2025
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One of the trailer’s sharpest beats shows Charli screaming at Tim (Jamie Demetriou) in frustration while inhaling a cigarette.—
Riann Phillip,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Season One concludes with the Texas Tech geology graduate abandoning a well crew after tragedy strikes, only to achieve rapid success in his personal and work endeavors.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 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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The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene, officials said.—
Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin , Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolting. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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