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
Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Downhill ski racers are not running backs or point guards, however, and don’t make those same jolting lateral moves and therefore, experts say, are better able to compensate for a torn ACL.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Downhill ski racers are not running backs or point guards, however, and don’t make those same jolting lateral moves and therefore, experts say, are better able to compensate for a torn ACL.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
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In especially sunny or windy places, just how much state power comes from renewable sources can be startling.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Three bears at Northstar California Resort in Truckee ran beneath a ski lift and across a slope, startling skiers and riders making their way down the run.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After shaking off the flu, Arenas didn’t make his first bucket until almost midway through the second half.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Cameras showed audience members nodding along, shaking their shoulders and otherwise getting into the music.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hotel video footage showed the pair forcing entry into the hotel by yanking on a lobby door and breaking the lock.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
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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
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
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Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Lunar rocks and soil offered novel insights into the moon’s origin and composition, and more recent analysis of previously untouched Apollo samples, as well as samples retrieved by robotic missions, revealed the surprising discovery of water trapped in rocks thought to be bone-dry.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The daytime-only pool menu offers its own cocktail list (the spicy marg was a surprising standout), and a super-casual food menu with options like fish tacos, a wagyu burger, and chicken tenders.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That all came to a shuddering halt after Khashoggi’s death.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
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Sat shuddering in my seat as the lights drew down.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
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Some signs that the carburetor is clogged on a snow blower are starting then dying a few seconds afterward, jerking, sputtering noises, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Virgo August 23 – September 22 Change doesn’t have to be shocking right now (even though today’s aspects involve Uranus).—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Certain connections could use a rebalance during this alignment of stubborn Venus and shocking Uranus across your connection zone and your business sector.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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