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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jolt
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Treasury yields and the value of the U.S. dollar held relatively stable after a brief jolt Monday morning when Moody’s Ratings said the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier credit rating because of worries about its spiraling debt.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 2025
The Trump administration’s decision to walk back its bans on some international student visas is being felt by universities in the Sacramento region that were initially jolted when first enforced in March.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Noun
Gabrielle Union brought a bold jolt of tangerine to Los Angeles on Tuesday, stepping out for the Proudly x JCPenney launch at the Babylist Showroom.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Treasury yields and the value of the U.S. dollar held relatively stable after a brief jolt Monday morning when Moody’s Ratings said the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier credit rating because of worries about its spiraling debt.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
Has the president eliminated enough uncertainty to jolt companies out of their wait-and-see stance?
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 2025
The Trump administration’s decision to walk back its bans on some international student visas is being felt by universities in the Sacramento region that were initially jolted when first enforced in March.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt
Noun
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The collision of the Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge comes just 16 months after a massive cargo ship plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
-
This replenishment likely comes from collisions between dwarf planets, cometary nuclei, micrometeoroids and other flotsam and jetsam lurking in the dark of the debris disk.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The suggestion came as a surprise, Grace said, considering the union was fighting for an additional 1% salary raise this year just before last Wednesday’s budget announcement.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
-
Jesse Marsch decided to spring a few surprises with his latest Canada squad.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
For me, a perfect beach bag starts with a lightweight, oversized tote that’s easy to shake the sand out of—preferably a mesh or water-resistant style.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Weekend warriors yank out invasive plants to save L.A. River.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
-
This month, officials yanked millions in tax receipts from restaurant sales as well as state marketing support, according to local affiliate ABC4.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps there is some potential for hypersonics here, but I would be shocked to ever see a satellite launched into orbit from a fighter jet.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
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Despite the wide selection, don’t be shocked by the steep prices.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
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Their bodies sway to the rhythmic thumps of the hypnotic music, composed by the French artist Kangding Ray.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The sources said the OEM team sent out the evacuation order to west Altadena soon after it was ordered to do so — a revelation that appears to rest the blame on county fire or sheriff officials.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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Perhaps most alarming to independent producers is the revelation that Channel 4 intends to house both its commissioning team and the new in-house production unit in the same physical space.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s early-morning social-media missive caused markets to shudder.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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One shudders to think how Ross, whom Grant divorced in 1929, and who died in 1951, would have reacted to so echoing a lack.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolt. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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