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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jolting
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
The results were jolting and sui generis.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
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Now a 23-year-old rookie in the WNBA, the financial transition was startling; five years ago, Bueckers didn’t even have a bank account.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill faced startling accusations from his estranged wife Keeta Vaccaro amid their divorce proceedings in Florida court.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Practice rounds sometimes turn into showcases of raw talent, the kind that leave teammates shaking their heads at the sound off his club face.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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Police alleged that the brain bleed was consistent with shaking an infant.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But some lawmakers say that argument is baseless and that yanking the grants has left the state less equipped to prevent tragedies like this week’s attack at Annunciation Catholic School.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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See, for example, Trump yanking the security clearances of former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Chris Krebs for his defense of the 2020 election as securely run.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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According to Joy Gelbman, MD, a cardiologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, these results aren’t necessarily surprising.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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After my long flight home, I was relieved that the late-night visitor turned out to be nothing more than city workers on the job (and their job in this case, while surprising, didn't turn out to be too destructive).—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The White House will be well aware of this fact, particularly in an environment where fiscally conservative Republicans will be shuddering at Uncle Sam’s $37 trillion (and growing) national debt.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
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The shuddering horror of the Coldplay couple.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The story follows a Jewish family across five generations, from childhood to adulthood, blending laughs and tear-jerking moments, just like in Bob-Waksberg’s other shows.—
Braedon Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Tear-jerking purple prose designed to make a Baby Boomer nostalgic and sad.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The chemistry between Johnson & Blunt is genuine & touching, elevating the drama w/ shocking emotional depth.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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This is shocking rhetoric even in 2025, when the far right has embraced race science and the federal government could be mistaken for pursuing the aims of the Proud Boys.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This fall brings a mix of amazing films.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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That alone is amazing, said Timbrook, Depue and a representative for the soft body armor vest that stopped a bullet from piercing the officer’s chest.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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