1
as in collision
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 surprise
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 to shake
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 to yank
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 to shock
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 jolt
Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Had he actually been found — or would this be another jolt of false hope?
—Stefani Barber, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The earthquake jolted at a depth of 4 miles, with its epicenter about 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Noun
After missing two games because of an ankle injury, Hayes came off the bench for 13 points with two rebounds, two assists and one steal, giving the team a jolt of energy behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Had he actually been found — or would this be another jolt of false hope?
—Stefani Barber, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
She was jolted awake to see her kids’ father coming at her, pointing a knife at her chest, prosecutors said.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The earthquake jolted at a depth of 4 miles, with its epicenter about 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt
Noun
-
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
-
This magnetized ridge appears to funnel material and magnetic flux between the merging nuclei, further emphasizing the role of magnetic fields in governing the flow of matter during galactic collisions.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Half the enjoyment of these toys is being able to carefully break open the egg to reveal the surprise creature inside.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The design from Takeshi Kata is intensifying hyper-realistic and comes with a surprise sting in its tail, not to mention some gorgeous vistas from the great Chicago lighting designer Heather Gilbert, who send shafts of light into the play’s motel room of the paranoid.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This should have people across the country absolutely shook.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The officer in the black beanie appears to shake a pepper spray canister toward protesters.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Therefore Primate and its promising central character turns more into a typical slasher flick, repeatedly knocking off the swimsuit-wearing teens one by one, his specialty being yanking out jaws and other bloody grossouts.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Officer Alex Millan then yanked open the passenger door of the suspects’ car; at the same time, the car drove forward over the curb.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The criminal investigation, which Powell announced this month, shocked and infuriated senators, both Republican and Democratic.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As the boy started singing, the crowd was shocked at his talent and began to cheer.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jin Shin has come across some monster potholes over the last couple of weeks, including one in Koreatown that rattled his car with a sickening thump and another near the airport where its depth was obscured by water.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Twitchy enough to line up off the edge or run with a tight end in the slot, Fisher (6-1, 231) is a bit small but brings enough thump to be the type of linebacker who never has to leave the field.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Williams thinks enough of himself to be himself, to keep his nails painted, to mimic crowning himself like LeBron James after big plays at USC, to graduate to his current too-cool-for-you celebratory shudder; the Iceman cometh, the Iceman runneth over.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That jerking motion, combined with detergent and water, loosens dirt from the surfaces of clothing.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolt. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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