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
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 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
Fresh off a high-voltage, high-purpose runway—exuberant silhouettes and jolts of color lighting up Paris—Stella McCartney invited Vogue100 for a lunch dînatoire offering a closer look at her groundbreaking Summer 2026 collection and a post-show chat with the designer herself.
—Sasha Pinto, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2025
Mostly, though, Wingard deploys his first-person POV gimmick for the purposes of cheaply effective jolts.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
These early jolts serve as canaries in the coal mine.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Even within genre parameters, the director never takes the road well-traveled, offering jolts and marvels around every corner.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
No rattling wheels, no jolts, just a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Ice water jolts the nervous system.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 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
Fresh off a high-voltage, high-purpose runway—exuberant silhouettes and jolts of color lighting up Paris—Stella McCartney invited Vogue100 for a lunch dînatoire offering a closer look at her groundbreaking Summer 2026 collection and a post-show chat with the designer herself.
—Sasha Pinto, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2025
Mostly, though, Wingard deploys his first-person POV gimmick for the purposes of cheaply effective jolts.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
These early jolts serve as canaries in the coal mine.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Even within genre parameters, the director never takes the road well-traveled, offering jolts and marvels around every corner.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
No rattling wheels, no jolts, just a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
In theory, self-driving cars should be able to detect animals and quickly stop or slow down, thereby lowering the number of collisions.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
According to the Standard, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has reported more than 880 self-driving car collisions to date.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Both leaders signaled interest in reducing tensions to avoid further shocks to the global economy.—
Landon Mion , Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The brand’s vegan protein shakes have a coconut-milk base and come in 20-gram, 26-gram, and 32-gram varieties, but the 20-gram seems to be the easiest to find.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Occasional use of those protein powders isn’t as concerning as a person making protein shakes three times a day.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Paul goes to shake her hand but jerks it back, then gives her a left-handed handshake.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Several late-breaking surprises have shaken up what political watchers thought would be a quiet race in Virginia.—
Jahd Khalil,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Laden with symbolism both in its lyrics and accompanying video, the piece — structured in operatic movements —surprises with Rosalía’s lyrical performance, gliding seamlessly between English, German, and her native Spanish.—
Luisa Calle,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In each Whatever After novel, a magic portal yanks the main character, Abby, out of her comfortable life and thrusts her into another reality.—
Sarah Mlynowski,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The pair played key roles in ensuring West Ham’s safety, and Nuno will hope potential arrivals have similar impacts.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, also felt the cataclysmic impacts of Melissa.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolts. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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