Synonyms of jolting

jolting 1 of 2

adjective

as in startling

causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness

the jolting news about our friend's premature death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• startling
• surprising
• amazing
• shocking
• stunning
• astonishing
• jarring
• wonderful
• unexpected
• stupefying
• incredible
• breathtaking
• astounding
• awesome
• jaw-dropping
• blindsiding
• miraculous
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• staggering
• eye-opening
• awful
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• extraordinary
• unusual
• spectacular
• confusing
• wondrous
• upsetting
• stupendous
• disconcerting
• remarkable
• impressive
• perplexing
• sublime
• confounding
• dismaying
• unlikely
• portentous
• uncommon
• marvelous
• noticeable
• unannounced
• prodigious
• sensational
• discomfiting
• unimaginable
• unbelievable
• striking
• inconceivable
• incomprehensible
• unthinkable
• bewildering
• heart-stopping
• phenomenal
• unwonted
• befuddling
• rare
• flustering
• outstanding
• muddling
• notable
• conspicuous
• fabulous
• nonplussing
• unique
• singular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• unsurprising
• common
• typical
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

jolting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of jolt

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

• shaking
• shuddering
• jerking
• vibrating
• quivering
• trembling
• shivering
• wobbling
• swaying
• convulsing
• twitching
• jiggling
• quaking
• jouncing
• agitating
• juddering
• swinging
• throbbing
• flickering
• rocking
• joggling
• thrilling
• bucketing
• fluttering
• waving
• chattering
• quavering
• fluctuating
• pulsing
• pulsating
• oscillating
• wavering
• undulating
• palpitating
• doddering
• beating
• pitter-pattering
• pit-a-patting

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

• yanking
• jerking
• lurching
• twitching
• pulling
• shaking
• tugging
• grabbing
• bucking
• hitching
• bumping
• hoicking
• staggering
• tearing
• dragging
• jouncing
• jiggling
• ripping
• snatching
• jogging
• jigging
• plucking
• lugging
• wrenching
• joggling
• snapping (up)
• tweaking
• pitching
• wringing
• wresting

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

• appalling
• shocking
• horrifying
• startling
• shaking
• stunning
• frightening
• scaring
• astonishing
• terrifying
• shaking up
• alarming
• outraging
• amazing
• stupefying
• overwhelming
• sickening
• disgusting
• scarifying
• panicking
• flooring
• dumbfounding
• spooking
• terrorizing
• nauseating
• dismaying
• flabbergasting
• unsettling
• distressing
• disconcerting
• upsetting
• unnerving
• disturbing
• revolting
• frighting
• disquieting
• discomforting
• astounding
• scandalizing
• freaking (out)
• knocking for a loop
• awing
• perturbing
• affrighting
• bowling over
• displeasing
• repelling
• offending
• daunting
• dispiriting
• undoing
• chilling
• demoralizing
• turning off
• overpowering
• emasculating
• unmanning
• crushing
• discomposing
• unstringing
• weirding out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratifying
• cushioning
• pleasing
• charming
• rejoicing
• tickling
• delighting
• enticing
• comforting
• assuring
• buffering
• tempting
• soothing
• reassuring
• cheering
• consoling
• solacing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jolting

Verb

The royal, who was seen repeatedly blinking before jolting awake, was attending the annual ANZAC Day service at London's Westminster Abbey, which is held to commemorate Commonwealth soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada who served and died in wars and peacekeeping operations. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Israel launched airstrikes on central and western Iran after Tehran fired missiles at Israel, jolting major cities with explosions and raising fears the region is sliding back toward all-out war. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

On social media, residents across the area described the earthquake jolting their homes and rattling windows and doors. — William B. Davis, New York Times, 4 June 2026

And while cinematically the evidence may not yet be persuasive, with a young generation listening to its own instincts and economically jolting a sclerotic system, the parallel feels bang-on. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026

Prices have spiked for oil, gas and several related products, jolting the world economy. — Mariam Fam, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2026

Its closure has caused a spike in the price of oil, gas, and several downstream products, jolting the world economy. — Samy Magdy, Fortune, 24 May 2026

Prices have spiked for oil, gas and several downstream products, jolting the world economy. — ABC News, 24 May 2026

Chloe Claudel, picking up on that thread, directs the play in a cleverly glitchy mode, giving you normality with sudden, jolting gestures that move it into territory that’s unsettling, hilarious, or oddly serene. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 May 2026