Synonyms of jolt

jolt 1 of 2

noun

ˈjōlt 

1

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things

pack the glass vase so that it won't fall victim to any hard jolts in transit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collision
• shock
• thump
• crash
• impact
• blow
• bump
• slam
• slap
• pounding
• kick
• concussion
• encounter
• wallop
• contact
• jounce
• punch
• knock
• impingement
• strike
• hit
• jar
• smash
• hammering
• thrashing
• touch
• buffet
• pummeling
• bashing
• licking
• bludgeoning
• battering
• rap
• meeting
• clobbering
• lambasting

2

as in surprise

something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected

the news of the CEO's sudden retirement was a jolt to us all

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• shock
• revelation
• bombshell
• bolt from the blue
• stunner
• jar
• kicker
• thunderclap
• jaw-dropper
• shocker
• eye-opener
• fillip
• marvel
• wonder
• twist
• amazement
• kick
• wrinkle

jolt

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements

the roller coaster car jerked and jolted as it coursed along the old wooden tracks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• shudder
• jerk
• vibrate
• shiver
• quiver
• tremble
• quake
• bucket
• sway
• convulse
• twitch
• wobble
• jiggle
• jounce
• agitate
• swing
• flicker
• throb
• joggle
• judder
• wave
• thrill
• rock
• flutter
• chatter
• pulse
• fluctuate
• waver
• oscillate
• pulsate
• palpitate
• undulate
• quaver
• dodder
• beat
• pitter-patter
• pit-a-pat

2

as in to yank

to move or cause to move with a sharp quick motion

she jolted the door open with her elbow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yank
• jerk
• lurch
• pull
• twitch
• shake
• grab
• tug
• bump
• buck
• hitch
• hoick
• tear
• stagger
• jog
• drag
• snatch
• jounce
• jiggle
• pluck
• rip
• jig
• joggle
• lug
• tweak
• snap (up)
• pitch
• wrench
• wring
• wrest

3

as in to shock

to cause an unpleasant surprise for

the sneak terrorist attack jolted the country out of its indolence and indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shock
• appall
• stun
• horrify
• scare
• shake
• startle
• frighten
• shake up
• outrage
• floor
• astonish
• terrify
• alarm
• panic
• disgust
• overwhelm
• fright
• amaze
• revolt
• stupefy
• flabbergast
• spook
• dumbfound
• nauseate
• terrorize
• dismay
• discomfort
• knock for a loop
• distress
• scarify
• sicken
• scandalize
• affright
• awe
• repel
• upset
• offend
• disquiet
• displease
• unsettle
• disturb
• disconcert
• freak (out)
• unnerve
• astound
• bowl over
• turn off
• daunt
• perturb
• dispirit
• undo
• discompose
• chill
• demoralize
• emasculate
• overpower
• unman
• unstring
• weird out
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cushion
• please
• buffer
• delight
• rejoice
• tickle
• gratify
• charm
• entice
• comfort
• tempt
• assure
• cheer
• soothe
• console
• reassure
• solace

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jolt

Noun

But about 15 minutes into the flight, passengers experienced a sudden jolt that sent them lunging forward, according to Mark Springer. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Majidi’s victory on Thursday night also gives Midday Meal an instantaneous jolt of Oscars buzz. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Carrie’s world cracks open after her father’s death, and she is jolted from the confines of her quaint home for the first time to attend high school. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

This time the message went off-roading, traveling through the animal’s tissue as a faint electrical pulse and switching on an implant that jolted a nerve in that leg. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026