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

European space officials hope a jolt of competition will light a fire under the continent’s rocket industry. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026

But, though the special effects are killer, what makes the show click is its suspenseful melancholy, as quiet scenes build to jolts so intense that the whole audience screamed. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Midway through the second quarter, the scoreboard and clock jolted to life. — David Ubben, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The wake-up factor scale rates beverages that’ll put you to sleep versus ones that’ll jolt you awake (based on qualitative factors, not necessarily measured caffeine content). — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2026