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

That victory got its first jolt on the Bears’ opening offensive snap, a 97-yard touchdown toss from Tyson Bagent to Zavion Thomas. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Volkswagen just added a jolt of electricity to its camper-van lineup. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

In September, a driver was seen appearing to doze off as a train accelerated to 50 mph before the operator was jolted awake. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 If Episode 1 put me to sleep, Episode 2 quickly jolted me awake. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 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

Imagine Bret’s surprise to find Robert waiting for him on his bed, having been questioned again thanks to Bret’s accusations.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Corle, taken completely by surprise, was sideswiped by the massive bear and sent tumbling face first into a thick clump of brush.

— Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of surprise

Verb

Beck didn’t participate in the book, but Riesman finds enough friends, family and associates to assemble a complex portrait of an artist who wants his audiences to see him as fashion-forward but has had a hard time shaking his past.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Thunderous applause may greet one documentary premiering at the Venice Film Festival, fitting for a story of athletes who shake the earth with every footfall.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 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

Otherwise, considering the Seahawks had only three safeties on their initial 53-man roster, I wouldn’t be shocked if a cornerback entered the lineup.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
When it was released in 2016, Hero shocked the country music establishment in more ways than one.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of shock

Noun

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
The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 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