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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 jolted
The recent document dump exposed the depth of ties between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein, revealing more unsavory details that have jolted the royal family, including an allegation that the former prince sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Separately on Thursday, the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits jolted higher after a cool showing in January.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Vanke’s dollar bonds due 2027 jumped about 3 cents Wednesday to 28 cents on the dollar, putting them on track for their highest price since late November when the builder jolted markets with its extension plans.
—Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
The University Park loan default is far from the only East Bay complex that has been jolted with loan issues.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Japan markets ride high on ‘Takaichi trade’ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s plan to call a snap election jolted the country’s markets, as investors bet on her expansionary fiscal policy.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In the late 18th century, just a few decades before Mary Shelley wrote her science fiction masterpiece, the Italian surgeon Luigi Galvani jolted the scientific community with experiments that used metal and electricity to compel disembodied frog legs to kick.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
She was jolted awake to see her kids’ father coming at her, pointing a knife at her chest, prosecutors said.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The earthquake jolted at a depth of 4 miles, with its epicenter about 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Separately on Thursday, the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits jolted higher after a cool showing in January.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Vanke’s dollar bonds due 2027 jumped about 3 cents Wednesday to 28 cents on the dollar, putting them on track for their highest price since late November when the builder jolted markets with its extension plans.
—Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
The University Park loan default is far from the only East Bay complex that has been jolted with loan issues.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Japan markets ride high on ‘Takaichi trade’ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s plan to call a snap election jolted the country’s markets, as investors bet on her expansionary fiscal policy.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In the late 18th century, just a few decades before Mary Shelley wrote her science fiction masterpiece, the Italian surgeon Luigi Galvani jolted the scientific community with experiments that used metal and electricity to compel disembodied frog legs to kick.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
She was jolted awake to see her kids’ father coming at her, pointing a knife at her chest, prosecutors said.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The earthquake jolted at a depth of 4 miles, with its epicenter about 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolted
Verb
-
Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their deaths shook this state and the nation.—
Kenety S. Gee,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 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
-
The timing of the resignation shocked players and union staff.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Her mom, Stefanie, brought her in to a doctor and when the X-rays came back, they were shocked to find a 56-degree curve in her spine.—
Marielle Mohs,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Karen Powers shuddered at what the adjuster said next, Shaun Powers said.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her body shuddered in a wave of tremors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The gloves were off and the two were grappling at each other’s jerseys for position when Crinon grabbed Wilson by the sweater and yanked him to the ice, effectively ending the fight.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The National Institutes of Health, part of HHS, also yanked dozens of research grants supporting studies of vaccine hesitancy last year.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Starkly depicting such abuses as force-feeding, strip-searching, and staff bullying, the movie appalled audiences on its release, and the State of Massachusetts quickly banned it from being shown publicly for more than twenty years.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Several editors were appalled by the idea alone.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Group chats vibrated in confusion, anger and disbelief.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
There was a low rumble that vibrated for a second or two, then faded away.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolted. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
