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
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
To further stress-test the robot, researchers added a BumpEm device that delivers stronger physical jolts.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Simons also gave Boston timely jolts of off-the-bench scoring.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
Both of those moments were jolts.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
To further stress-test the robot, researchers added a BumpEm device that delivers stronger physical jolts.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Simons also gave Boston timely jolts of off-the-bench scoring.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
Vehicle collisions on the road are a top cause of bear mortality.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The impact scattered debris across the freeway’s northbound lanes and triggered several collisions on both sides of Highway 99 as motorists tried to avoid the wreckage.—
Darrell Smith
Updated February 20,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Helmets, pads, or other devices could deform safely under sudden shocks or absorb energy during fast impacts to prevent injury.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Arguably, the world is still digesting the after-shocks of the social media revolution before a new printing press-like invention is upon us.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wood shakes offer natural beauty but are less fire—and moisture-resistant, so they are prohibited in certain regions.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone shakes hands when a match ends and then retires to the bar, where the winners are supposed to buy the losers a beer.—
Dave Altimari,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 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
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But barring any further surprises, Paramount CEO David Ellison will assemble a sprawling entertainment and news empire with dozens of TV channels, multiple movie studios and two leading newsrooms.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Think through these issues so there are no surprises once you’re retired.—
Brian Baker CFA,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 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
-
According to the footage, Falcinelli then moves toward the officer before the officer yanks him by the arm.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Jolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolts. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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