1
2
as in to race
to proceed or move quickly
the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fly
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to inhale
to swallow or eat greedily
the way you bolted those hot dogs, it's no wonder you're feeling a little queasy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bolt
Heat also stresses the plant and can cause bolting.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
At the rate business was humming along, ValenSil was on track to bolt on a third shift, add about eight to 15 more workers, and even purchase land for further expansion.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Choose varieties that can grow in hotter weather without bolting (flowering).
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Ye bolted at the door, stopping only a couple of seconds at the sidewalk to sign a pair of sneakers for a fan who’d been waiting outside all day.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
At the rate business was humming along, ValenSil was on track to bolt on a third shift, add about eight to 15 more workers, and even purchase land for further expansion.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Choose varieties that can grow in hotter weather without bolting (flowering).
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Ye bolted at the door, stopping only a couple of seconds at the sidewalk to sign a pair of sneakers for a fan who’d been waiting outside all day.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
-
People reported victims jumping from the upper floor as the fire raged.—
Joanna Moriello,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Impatience or frustration could jump out.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Not all fans were racing aficionados.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But Cockrum raced down the court for a layup, barely beating the buzzer to cut the lead to 19-16 entering the final quarter.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One diner, who works in the hospitality industry and is flying across the country to attend the pop-up and visit friends, is keeping his seat.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In another set of images by photographer Ian Recchio, who goes by @Lookunderocks on Instagram, another aircraft, described as a business-jet-type platform, was seen flying below the refueling formation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Everyone now has to gasp politely and exclaim that this is a big opportunity for the dads indeed, while Mikayla stands there awkwardly, still holding her big pink box full of live butterflies.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These belonged to Kim Kardashian, André proudly exclaims.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many people inhaled a substantial amount of smoke.—
Dave Boucher,
Freep.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Wearing a protective mask to avoid inhaling the dust, fill a hand-crank or push rotary spreader with pelletized lime.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors allege Joshua Alvarado, 30, passed out at the wheel of his pickup truck while driving to work and was startled awake by other drivers honking at him.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the driver decided to speed away, police spokesman Christopher Bess said.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The vehicle sped away from law enforcement after an officer activated their squad car's emergency lights and siren, according to officials.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From April 2020 to July 2025, 182,000 residents fled to other states, causing a demographic decline and a serious brain drain.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When officers tried to intervene, the man fled in a car, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
