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

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 Kroenke’s history of developing winning teams delivered a jolt of enthusiasm to the Angels’ clubhouse even though the sale won’t close until next year. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

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 The bigger, the sweeter, the more outlandish the dish, the more appetizing the bait for the social media influencers who will jolt a restaurant into stardom. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jolt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt

Noun

Car insurance covers losses resulting from collisions, theft, fire and other covered incidents.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
In many organizations, this generational collision is framed as a liability.

— Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of collision

Noun

And then on Sunday, next to Granada’s imposing Alhambra fortress, Kuss — providing there are no nasty surprises — will complete his third Grand Tour in a row.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
To the surprise of some observers, including your humble correspondent, Arianespace has proven to be a more reliable launch partner to Amazon than the other two providers who inked deals with Amazon in 2022, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of surprise

Verb

As Gansey greeted them, shaking hands, taking photos and smiling endlessly, one stepped forward with a question that encapsulated everything.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
More than a year of demonstrations sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people shook Vucic more than ever during his 14 years in power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

Sandra Ogbebor hunches over her softly humming refrigerator and scours through bottles before finally yanking out an orange juice.

— Light Oriye Tamunotonye, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026
In one clip, a pair of people sit in a small box attached to a wire as they're yanked onto a platform across a river in Nuwakot, Nepal.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

After the sentencing, Lee's wife, Elizabeth Tang, told reporters there is no freedom of speech in Hong Kong and that the sentences would shock and anger many people.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
Yemen’s government was shocked by slow Saudi response The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping on the Red Sea since declaring a blockade in July, as well as hitting oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia.

— Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of shock

Noun

If those ground tests show the jet’s acoustic thump is soft enough for suburban skies, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over several US communities to gather public feedback.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of thump

Verb

The system shudders a bit and then gets back to normal, like a person stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle faces discomfort and difficulty walking for a while.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of shudder

Verb

And like any great sitcom, Friends runs the gamut from numbing brain-rot to tear-jerking sentimentality.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026
The production’s winking tone blunts some of the original’s tear-jerking climax, yet its intact happy ending offers a surprisingly comforting vision of survival in an age of constant crises.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026