as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the jolting news about our friend's premature death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shaking
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
2
as in yanking
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 appalling
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
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Recent Examples of jolting
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025
Her rest proves short-lived of course, with Honey jolting back into an upright position before looking around to see if anyone has noticed her sleeping on the job.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
In the final days of its most embarrassing season in 37 years, CSU pulled off the play of the year, jolting college football with the hiring of Jim Mora.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025
The bus pulled to a stop a few blocks from UC Medical Center, jolting Gray awake.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
The video is jolting, honestly.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Next, adding slow-tempo movement builds capacity without jolting your system.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace is jolting momentum in the Senate to pass a bipartisan sanctions bill against Moscow.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
And yet something feels jolting.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025
Her rest proves short-lived of course, with Honey jolting back into an upright position before looking around to see if anyone has noticed her sleeping on the job.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
In the final days of its most embarrassing season in 37 years, CSU pulled off the play of the year, jolting college football with the hiring of Jim Mora.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025
The bus pulled to a stop a few blocks from UC Medical Center, jolting Gray awake.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
The video is jolting, honestly.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Next, adding slow-tempo movement builds capacity without jolting your system.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace is jolting momentum in the Senate to pass a bipartisan sanctions bill against Moscow.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
The legendary David Lynch announced himself to the world with this startling, nightmarish debut feature.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While the visual effect can be startling, there is nothing sinister at play.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Virtually all the players, and often their caddies, make a point of coming over and shaking hands with the servicemen.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The yellow bucket of a heavy construction excavator crashed down onto the roof of the vacant home at Parade Park, yanking it into a heap of split plaster and lumber.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
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But after the first attempt malfunctioned — the lace caught on the bottom of Buckley's bouquet, resulting in the veil accidentally yanking her head back — everyone is now on high alert.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
General Daily Insight for January 31, 2026 Minor adjustments can bring surprising ease and clarity.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The surprising twist was the slew of cancellations in — among other places — South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of the camp was enclosed with an electrified fence, to keep out the Big Men, the massive, shuddering ursids that could not be named (more on that later).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Dec. 2025
-
With haunted vocal multitracking and big, shuddering beats, the album builds to a climax in which hope and fear are swept into the same rush of human experience.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The tear-jerking dramedy featured a breakthrough role for Emilia Jones, an Oscar-winning, scene-stealing turn by Troy Kotsur and a thoughtful narrative that took audiences into the personal lives of a deaf family with a single hearing member.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
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That jerking motion, combined with detergent and water, loosens dirt from the surfaces of clothing.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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As of Tuesday, the major averages are set to close out a winning month, with roughly 2% gains to date in each, but with massive swings in the stock market mostly centered around shocking geopolitical headlines.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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After seeing the boys’ shocking condition, the ACS agent called 911 and medics rushed the adolescents to Montefiore Children’s Hospital, where they were treated for three months, according to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark’s office.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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