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
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
-
Upon second offense, the fine jumps to $17,389.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The movie jumps forward several decades.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Boise and Garden City races One candidate running for Boise City Council has past drug charges, the Statesman found.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Filmmaker Jordan Peele's feature debut and first venture into the realm of horror is an almost flawless, emotional roller coaster that races on the tracks of both Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and The Stepford Wives (1975).—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The series then retreats to 2019 to trace the circumstances that led to these killings, building toward the inevitability of Maggie and Paul’s death and filtering the whole family through a lens of catastrophe, where every member is either ill-fated or devious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
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The experience inspired the setting and plot for Duma Key, his 2008 novel set in a similar locale, where its protagonist retreats to heal from an accident.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ron exclaims in the final moments, just in case the scene was in danger of falling too far on one side of the horror/comedy divide.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
27 Oct. 2025
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Bertinelli exclaims, pointing an accusing finger at Malick.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So, Don handles the electric clippers in the backseat while Teddy speeds away from the crime scene.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Total structural failure is likely near the path of Melissa, especially in higher elevation areas where wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains could be up to 30 percent stronger.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The flag of the Wilton Rancheria now flies alongside Elk Grove’s city flag in what leaders said is a historic moment for both city and tribe.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Taurid meteor shower blooms when Earth flies through debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nothing about WristbandGuy shouts at all.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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The mother shouts her daughter’s name.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without virtue, liberty collapses into chaos, and freedom devours itself.—
Carolyn McKinney,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
-
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 5 Nov. 2025.
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