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
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
Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still 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.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still 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.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
More startling, though, was his passing.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
The startling scale of detentions made Israel the third-worst jailer of journalists for 2025, behind only China and Myanmar, according to CPJ.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
-
About 180,000 people experienced light to strong shaking, according to the USGS.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Now, the Sentinel has learned, Florida is taking an inconsistent approach to cleaning up its mess, yanking the licenses of 47 nurses who attended schools cited by the FBI but allowing others to keep working, even when it has been alerted to their shortcomings.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 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
-
Joy has surprising traction today.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Miami’s past holds surprising stories of ambition and reinvention, from a Bulgarian artist wrapping islands in pink fabric to a failed bid to become the film capital of the world.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The world itself is shuddering on some of these economic blows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
That all came to a shuddering halt after Khashoggi’s death.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
-
During their first night together, just for an instant, Nikki appears to glitch, jerking back mid-kiss and looking at him with blind panic instead of undying affection.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
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However, those things aren’t necessarily shocking battle scenes.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 May 2026
-
The settlement notice appears to mark the end of a lawsuit that was shocking not only because of its allegations, but also because of the person making the claims.—
Tess Riski
May 7,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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