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
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
Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
From the 19th century to World War I, the White House grounds had been accessible to a degree that can seem startling today.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Henley's eyes were light blue, vivid and startling against the rest of her coloring.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the kind of car that would be a treat to see stateside – and likely one that will have American automakers shaking in their boots.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
-
Redick said, when going back into the rolodex of his career, that shaking off the rust – as Reaves is doing right now – can have different results depending on the scenario.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
After Correa doubled leading off the first against Tanner Bibee, Alvarez followed by yanking a curveball from the right-hander 422 feet over the wall in right field to give the Astros a 2-0 lead that held up for nine innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Supporters in labor unions and in the House soon began yanking their endorsements.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The troop withdrawal is hardly surprising, said Michał Matlak, a senior fellow at the European University Institute and director of the Institute for Innovation and Technology in Warsaw.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
-
One of the most pleasantly surprising things about visiting the Florida Keys is seeing how many attractions allow for four-legged visitors accompanying their humans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An odd pattern has also emerged over the last decade, of shocking personnel moves coinciding with the Yankees coming to Fenway.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
-
In April 2022, Vicky announced her retirement with just one day's notice, shocking the entire staff.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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