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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bolts
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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolts
Verb
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Boitano said Liu was exceptional in her early years, performing jumps no other skater could execute at the time.—
Janelle Davis,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … DRAMATIC RESCUE – Viral video captures moments after mother jumps into water to save daughter.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Youngkin’s comments come after Democrats swept last night’s statewide and House of Delegates races in Virginia.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Detroit City Council races Along with a heated mayor's race, there are two open districts seats and two at-large seats up for grabs on the Detroit City Council.—
Detroit Free Press,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Brunson retreats and ultimately turns the ball over on a pass to Miles McBride.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Derry exclaims while staring at a pile of dirty dishes and food debris on the floor.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
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Shayna McHayle’s Junglepussy exclaims at the beginning of the bank-robbery scene.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After the shooting, the SUV speeds into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop.—
Rebecca Santana,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
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Across the canyon, flames leapt up the Paseo Miramar trail, still two miles away as the crow flies, but already too close to ignore.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hilliker shouts as her family applauds them.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
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Eilish shouts from the open window.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Without virtue, liberty collapses into chaos, and freedom devours itself.—
Carolyn McKinney,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
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Every revolution devours its children.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolts. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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