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
Relevance
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
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
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jolt
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 30 May 2026
But the primary reason aggregate demand’s way too high is excessive levels of government spending that if left unchecked, could lead to even higher rates than the peak numbers that just unleashed such a jolt.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Veronique Greenwood, Time, 29 May 2026
Almost exactly a year ago, a swarm of earthquakes located in the ocean off Humboldt County jolted the same area in May 2025.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Noun
This White House does love to troll, and MAGA needs a jolt.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 30 May 2026
But the primary reason aggregate demand’s way too high is excessive levels of government spending that if left unchecked, could lead to even higher rates than the peak numbers that just unleashed such a jolt.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Verb
Kids jolted into action, performing feats of cardio that would have adults needing a lie-down.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 29 May 2026
Almost exactly a year ago, a swarm of earthquakes located in the ocean off Humboldt County jolted the same area in May 2025.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt
Noun
-
This is no coincidence; galactic mergers are more likely at the cluster’s gravitational center, and astronomers think the chaos of such collisions helps give ellipticals their characteristic spheroidal shape.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
-
The Idaho Transportation Department plans to restripe a section of Interstate 84 between Meridian and Nampa, in the days after work-zone lane markings caused confusion among drivers and at least one near collision.—
Rose Evans
May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Both the performances and the awards themselves at the 79th Tony Awards were especially memorable, with surprise winners popping up left and right.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Health authorities believe the outbreak, which took the eastern region of Congo by surprise after spreading silently for weeks without detection, started in the bustling mining area of Mongbwalu in Ituri province.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Hulst kept hammering lap after lap through the second mile but still could not shake Serna.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Then stir or shake the solution until the sugar is completely dissolved.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Venice Biennale opened its most chaotic and contested edition in recent memory on May 9, with the prestigious Golden Lion yanked from contention after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Investors in Blackstone’s flagship private credit fund sought to yank 10% of their money this quarter, showing that the jitters engulfing the industry may be deepening.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies scored five runs in the ninth on a three-run home run by Hunter Goodman and a walk-off, two-run homer by Ezequiel Tovar to shock the Giants in an electrifying 8-6 win at Coors Field.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Fans were shocked to learn a number of details about the actors behind Briar U’s charming student body, from who their real-life partners are to the fact that lead Ella Bright grew up in London and has a British accent.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The driver’s side opens, releasing the thump of music and a tall, lean figure.—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The usual thump of a foot hitting a soccer ball filled the air Wednesday at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The series opens as City’s record-breaking run of 26 games unbeaten comes to a shuddering halt, with a string of defeats in late 2024 leaving Guardiola visibly shaken.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Physical tics can be as subtle as eye blinking, or involve jerking the arms, or stretching the neck.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
In the summer of 2020, former Morgan Stanley trader Adam Crawley was wandering through Indonesia, Thailand and Australia, perfecting his qigong with a man called Master YanG, when a cold message on LinkedIn jerked him back to reality.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolt. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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