1
as in shook
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
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2
as in jerked
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 shocked
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the sneak terrorist attack jolted the country out of its indolence and indifference
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Recent Examples of jolted
But the yield’s climb last week was its largest weekly leap since April, when markets were jolted by massive tariff uncertainty.
—
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
While the massive deliveries for the early CBS/Fox games are unlikely to be jolted by the addition of a Wednesday night window, NBC’s showcase already must contend with a decline in overall television usage that occurs as millions of Americans head back home from their holiday feasts.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Hours after resuming her role, Kay is jolted awake by a call.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
But the record spending surge during the long public holiday last month jolted some consumer costs upward, after signs already pointed to an easing of deflationary pressures in manufacturing and services.
—Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The escalation jolted global markets, with crude oil prices briefly nearing $120 a barrel Monday.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
The strikes have jolted markets worldwide and sent the price of oil soaring.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake Monday by a series of loud explosions that shook buildings and caused windows to shatter.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake by a series of loud explosions that shook buildings and caused windows to shatter.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
While the massive deliveries for the early CBS/Fox games are unlikely to be jolted by the addition of a Wednesday night window, NBC’s showcase already must contend with a decline in overall television usage that occurs as millions of Americans head back home from their holiday feasts.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Hours after resuming her role, Kay is jolted awake by a call.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
But the record spending surge during the long public holiday last month jolted some consumer costs upward, after signs already pointed to an easing of deflationary pressures in manufacturing and services.
—Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The escalation jolted global markets, with crude oil prices briefly nearing $120 a barrel Monday.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
The strikes have jolted markets worldwide and sent the price of oil soaring.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake Monday by a series of loud explosions that shook buildings and caused windows to shatter.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake by a series of loud explosions that shook buildings and caused windows to shatter.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolted
Verb
-
No serious injuries were reported, but the extent of the fire shook residents of the north, who have repeatedly been told by their leaders that Hezbollah was dealt a devastating blow in 2024 during its last war with Israel.—
Natalie Melzer,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
With the blessing of Byers and basketball committee chairman Gavitt, the three parties — NCAA, CBS, and the Hyatt — shook hands.—
Bill Hancock,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Their parents are shocked to see the couple living their normal lives covered in cameras.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Nobody should be shocked that the expected is now coming to pass.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
People shuddered at the sight of it, or groaned, or covered their eyes.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While there is no physical blockade in the strait, Iran has threatened to attack any vessels moving through it, and insurers have yanked their war-risk policies, leaving hundreds of tankers in limbo.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Grand Rapids yanked Sherlock with 44 seconds to play, and the extra man paid off as Jameson Duell scored 15 seconds later to tie the game and send it into overtime.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Undeterred by danger and appalled by hospital conditions, Annie organized the Keokuk Ladies’ Soldiers’ Aid Society (KLAS), serving as its corresponding secretary.—
Hanna Howard,
Des Moines Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The murder appalled the city, and Musa’s family demanded justice.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The roar of the crowds gathered at the base of the 101-story building still echoed in his ears, and the thrill of scaling its ten abstract metal dragons vibrated through his body.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Even the bathrooms down the hall vibrated with rhythm.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolted. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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