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
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
Either way, this is jolting for many of Britain’s 290,000 Jews, many of whom prided themselves in their unfussy integration into British society.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 1 May 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Either way, this is jolting for many of Britain’s 290,000 Jews, many of whom prided themselves in their unfussy integration into British society.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 1 May 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
These sprinklers detect motion and will squirt bursts of water, startling squirrels and chasing them out of your garden.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
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One of the more startling nuggets the doc reveals concerns Paul Bateson, the former radiological technician convicted of Verrill’s murder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
People gathered near the site to get a front row seat to the ground-shaking event.—
Abigail Dollins,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
-
Then, during one family movie night in November 2020, her husband noticed her arm was shaking.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
There are stories of major Nashville players yanking him off the street, keeping him drunk for days in hotels, then leaving Knoxville with stacks of new songs.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
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Since early May, companies that used the dry milk powder in their food products have been yanking those products on the concern they might be contaminated with salmonella.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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Step through that doorway and visitors are greeted by Penryn Grill, a full-service restaurant that has become one of Placer County's most surprising dining destinations.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
That outcome would amount to a surprising end to what had been a rocket-ship campaign for the 42-year-old gadfly.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Verb
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That brewery is taking over Headflyer's space after closing its own Nordeast taproom in 2023, then shuddering entirely last year before rising from the ashes months later.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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The world itself is shuddering on some of these economic blows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seizures can include short-term confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles and jerking movements of the arms and legs.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Doherty departed the show in 1994, shocking viewers who felt Brenda was a staple of the show's drama.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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The Today show host came prepared with a beer in his suit jacket pocket, shocking his cohosts.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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