bolt

1
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers

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2
3
4
as in to exclaim
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling bolted out the cuss word without thinking

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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

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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 In 2012, Meloni and a hardcore group of former Seagulls bolted from Berlusconi’s coalition. Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025 In the wake of making the troublesome latter album, Osbourne bolted the group in 1977 and embarked on a solo project, Blizzard of Ozz, and was replaced by singer Dave Walker of Savoy Brown. Chris Morris, Variety, 22 July 2025 Twenty-five American women bolted for Britain to serve in the ATA in 1942. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025 During radiation, a mesh mask was molded to her face and bolted to the table to keep her completely still throughout each session. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
  • However, following the July 17 announcement, the first week of new shows (July 21-24) for The Late Show jumped to average 1 million households.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Those searches jumped to 2.2 million during the first 30 days of the 2016 campaign after the list was published.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Even as Russia races to perfect a nuclear-armed spacecraft, its space weapons designers are likely also preparing to launch a stealth alternative to similarly threaten constellations of Western satellites speeding around the planet.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Max Verstappen has raced alongside three different teammates since the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, namely Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and now Yuki Tsunoda.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Toto flies backwards, slamming into Aunt Em’s open cedar chest.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • The carrier flies to more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico, A public charter air carrier, JSX provides service to both major airports like Burbank and Las Vegas and to those not served by major airliners.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Like a child swimming on the first hot day of the year, Ivan is carried away by the physical pleasure of the water, diving and floating and exclaiming.
    Philip Metres July 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
  • South Park’s whining Cartman exclaims in the premiere about the blows against NPR.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • When someone ingests or inhales lead particles, the body confuses them with other minerals, Del Rio said.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
  • Adding a few drops of essential oil to hot water and inhaling the steam can be beneficial for relieving congestion.
    Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege that as Salisbury approached the driveway, Stephens sped toward the officer, who attempted to evade the Jeep by moving behind a bush near the driveway’s entrance.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
  • This speeds up corrections, reduces waste and minimizes the need for manual inspection.
    Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.
    Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Farke shouted and put a hand on Chambers’ shoulder, smiling.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 28 July 2025
  • Every twenty or thirty feet, a hawker would shout and cross the street to shake my hand, or step away from a storefront and fall in beside me.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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