1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
pack the glass vase so that it won't fall victim to any hard jolts in transit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in shocks
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
the news of the CEO's sudden retirement was a jolt to us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shakes
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 jerks
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 appalls
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 jolts
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
The individual jolts, which seemed at some points to come weekly, added up.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
Residents across Santa Clara and San Benito counties reported feeling sharp jolts, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The Conjuring 2 is filled with sudden jolts, dog bells signaling danger, self-moving fire engine toys, and the infamous Crooked Man — all shot with cinematic tricks borrowed from '70s-era filmmaking.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Countless cups later, jolts of energy and lingering taste of nutty, chocolatey or caramel notes, each coffee shop in every neighborhood has its own voice and personality.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Lauryn Higgins, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
An ice bath, by contrast, jolts the whole nervous system—not just the vagus nerve, Tracey wrote in an op-ed published in 2024.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Ice water jolts the nervous system.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Elsewhere, jolts of intensity come from human hands turning round knobs in real time.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
The individual jolts, which seemed at some points to come weekly, added up.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
Residents across Santa Clara and San Benito counties reported feeling sharp jolts, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The Conjuring 2 is filled with sudden jolts, dog bells signaling danger, self-moving fire engine toys, and the infamous Crooked Man — all shot with cinematic tricks borrowed from '70s-era filmmaking.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Countless cups later, jolts of energy and lingering taste of nutty, chocolatey or caramel notes, each coffee shop in every neighborhood has its own voice and personality.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Inflammation and the immune system Being doused in cold water jolts your sympathetic nervous system into gear.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
An ice bath, by contrast, jolts the whole nervous system—not just the vagus nerve, Tracey wrote in an op-ed published in 2024.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Ice water jolts the nervous system.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolts
Noun
-
The meters are intended to control the flow of traffic onto state highways to diminish slowdowns and collisions, said Nick Liccardo, a senior transportation engineer with the state Department of Transportation.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In 2023, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Sutter County ninth and Yuba County eighth for injury collisions out of the state's 58 counties, placing the region among the highest in the state for fatal and injury crashes.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In other sports, athletes distribute shocks to both feet, in soft shoes or on forgiving surfaces.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As a rule of thumb, protein shakes should only be used to fill gaps.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Their barking shakes the windows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both figures are positive surprises.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The real news, as Fortune's Jessica Mathews reports, was the basket of surprises that CEO Elon Musk unveiled.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Judy yanks Mikey’s roller trunk out of the mud and leads him toward one of the nearby hiking trails.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Spotty flurries are possible Tuesday night, but impacts should be minimal.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers show that triaxial deformation impacts charge radii in models that feature shell effects, in contrast to what could be concluded from a liquid drop analysis.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolts. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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