as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the jolting news about our friend's premature death
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shaking
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 yanking
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 appalling
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 jolting
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Bachelorette took a risk by casting the already controversial Paul in hopes of jolting the franchise back to life after a hiatus season and declining ratings.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
What’s startling is how quickly yesterday’s propaganda has morphed into a neutral statement on American policy.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Now his name is trending again, his lawsuit against his parents a startling revelation.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The fine powder is very messy to work with, however, so simply shaking it onto your chain wouldn't be practical.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Keep the movement coming from your ribs, rotating, not by yanking your neck.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In other words, eliminating them from the animal kingdom would be like yanking an entire tier of Jenga blocks out of the middle of the tower.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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But for me the story of Shakur’s jailbreak was not just a piece of radical political history but a surprising revelation about my own family.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The bigger adventures will come, but sometimes the most surprising inspiration arrives on an ordinary street corner in your own city.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That all came to a shuddering halt after Khashoggi’s death.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Sat shuddering in my seat as the lights drew down.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He’s involved in a war of monumental proportions that’s shocking the globe.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Here in Eruemukohwarien, a few individual villagers climb over the perimeter sandbags in order to place their cassava, laid out on bamboo trays, in shocking proximity to the 30-foot fireball.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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