1
2
as in races
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 retreats
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 exclaims
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling
bolted out the cuss word without thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in inhales
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
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Recent Examples of bolts
When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.
—
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
With that in mind, here are a few free agent options who could fit the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The canine then bolts across the field and is immediately chased by one horse, with about five more joining in moments later.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Parsley is a biennial that quickly bolts and dies the second year, and since second-year parsley is bitter, it’s typically grown as an annual.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
With that in mind, here are a few free agent options who could fit the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
The canine then bolts across the field and is immediately chased by one horse, with about five more joining in moments later.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Parsley is a biennial that quickly bolts and dies the second year, and since second-year parsley is bitter, it’s typically grown as an annual.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolts
Verb
-
As signaled by the season 2 finale, The Last of Us season 3 jumps back in time a few days to the arrival of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) in Seattle while on the hunt for Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), the woman who killed Joel (Pedro Pascal).—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
-
Kerim Alajbegovic will likely start on the left, and the 18-year-old jumps off the screen.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The fate of roughly $2 billion annually that was intended to help reduce wildfire risk, promote clean water and build affordable housing, along with other efforts across California, is uncertain as the Legislature races to pass a state budget by Monday.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
-
In another clip, as the couple pulls into the driveway of the property, floodwater rapidly races down the concrete.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Wellness retreats top the list of luxury travel trends right now, but the price tags often stretch into the thousands.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
Six affordable wellness retreats worth booking Ojo Spa Resorts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, centers its experience on hydrotherapy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Fieri exclaims as Jesser laughs.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
Lopez exclaims before jumping in place excitedly and pulling Abdalla into a hug.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The chemical is particularly tough on the human respiratory system and, depending on how much a person inhales, MMA can cause everything from sore throats and cough to dizziness, nausea and, at the highest levels, damage to the nervous system, Kleinman said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Any wind speeds over 58 mph are considered severe, according to NWS meteorologist Kyle Pallozzi.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 June 2026
-
This is a relatively slow method that just speeds up the typical ripening rate slightly, with about two to four days needed to ripen the avocados fully.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The American flag flies behind a Wall Street sign near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City on April 22, 2026.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
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Now, Cecil always flies with the super slim bladeless pocket knife.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The emotional high point comes at the bridge, when the song transforms into a stomp-clap rhythm and Rodrigo shouts the lyrics with abandon.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
-
Patchett shouts out fellow authors in the novel, including George Saunders, Paul Murray and Kiran Desai.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolts. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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