as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the jolting news about our friend's premature death
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 May 2026
With Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz jolting the world economy and causing a spike in fuel prices, the prolonged Iran war has also raised concerns about a looming energy crisis in South Korea’s trade-dependent economy.
—ABC News, 7 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
The Bachelorette took a risk by casting the already controversial Paul in hopes of jolting the franchise back to life after a hiatus season and declining ratings.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
With Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz jolting the world economy and causing a spike in fuel prices, the prolonged Iran war has also raised concerns about a looming energy crisis in South Korea’s trade-dependent economy.
—ABC News, 7 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
The Bachelorette took a risk by casting the already controversial Paul in hopes of jolting the franchise back to life after a hiatus season and declining ratings.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
Given that the first film showed a man alone in the world, news of family ties are startling.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
-
What a contrast between the vibrancy of Aston Villa, who face Freiburg in Wednesday’s Europa League final with Champions League football already secured, and the startling levels of ineptitude that Liverpool have descended into.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The other shows the two world leaders shaking hands.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The lifeguard pursued me in a gray metal dinghy with a bullhorn, ordering me out of the water and yanking me up over the side of his boat.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
Essentially, yanking gravity away is another tool, just like temperature or pressure, that drug manufacturers can apply to improve their products.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
When Mercury meets Uranus, a surprising option could make the road feel less fixed.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
Swapping in travel-size versions or better yet, pouring your go-tos into small reusable bottles, frees up a surprising amount of space and weight.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 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
-
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
-
Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
Verb
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In the past several years, unspent funds from DOC vacancies have been gobbled up by shocking overtime costs that exceed $30 million monthly.—
Jason Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
-
Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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