JOLT Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

jolt 1 of 2

noun

ˈjōlt

Definition of jolt

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

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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

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jolt

2 of 2

verb

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

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as in to yank

to move or cause to move with a sharp quick motion she jolted the door open with her elbow

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as in to shock

to cause an unpleasant surprise for the sneak terrorist attack jolted the country out of its indolence and indifference

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of jolt

Noun

World Cup enthusiasm has given a jolt to prediction market platform Rothera, a joint venture between Susquehanna International Group and Robinhood. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 July 2026 With the crowd split roughly down the middle with Australia and Egypt supporters, the fans wearing yellow got a clear first jolt of energy from the 22-year-old. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026

Verb

The new spinoff would be the latest shake-up in an industry that has lately been jolted by various mergers and acquisitions. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 June 2026 Hundreds of the Walmart tech workers who are being jolted by layoffs are located at a four-building office campus in Sunnyvale known as Moffett Green. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for jolt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt

Noun

Waymo’s support team is automatically notified if the vehicle crashes, and a roadside assistance representative will come to the collision site to assess the situation in person.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Placing the heavy shielding and reactor components in the middle minimizes the physical stress caused by bending moments at sea and insulates the nuclear systems from external side-impact collisions.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026

Definition of collision

Noun

Johnson and Sweat were surprises, but LaFleur said neither situation is serious and both should practice soon.

— Doug Haller, New York Times, 24 July 2026
That kind of preparation could eventually help machines like this home robot designed to cook, clean and handle the clutter and surprises found in everyday homes.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of surprise

Verb

Penta went for a Mexican Destroyer on the apron, but Rusev shook him off as the heels took control.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Keegan was not interested in being figurehead or a legend in the executive boxes, shaking hands and reminiscing about the old days.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

Then we’re yanked into Louis’s hazy POV, from which Armand is reading another one of his apology letters.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Johnson yanks veterans' benefits package An effort to advance a package of VA benefits bills this morning on the House floor went down in flames – the latest in Speaker Mike Johnson's struggle to get Republicans on the same page.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Lam’s account shocked many people in the former British colony, which Beijing promised would maintain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after its return to China in 1997.

— Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

Speaking to the media before England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup last 16, England manager Thomas Tuchel gave an update on Declan Rice that would make Arsenal fans shudder.

— Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 13 July 2026
These seemingly innocuous incidents attain new significance as they’re revisited alongside a slow crescendo that suddenly turns to shuddering piano chords on the track’s bridge.

— Nick Ayres DeMasi, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026

Definition of shudder

Verb

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises against twisting or jerking the tick.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026
Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026