1
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in raced
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 retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in exclaimed
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling
bolted out the cuss word without thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in devoured
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
as in fastened
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 bolted
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Foster’s hurried firing on Sunday morning comes after his hurried hiring in February 2024, his placement a band-aid one week after Chip Kelly bolted to be offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
When security is built in rather than bolted on, multitenant systems can rival or even surpass single-tenant ones.
—Khash Kiani, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Many of the plants have bolted or gone to seed or withered in the heat.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Cal Poly bolted 75 yards on nine plays for its first TD, a 12-yard pass from 6-foot-6 Ty Dieffenbach to Michael Briscoe.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
In the second quarter Friday night, Beatty bolted down the middle of the field to catch Altmyer’s pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
One of the most loved is Mgarr ix-Xini Valley, whose easy access and varied topography offer bolted and trad routes of all grades.
—AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025
The top three receivers all transferred to new schools as Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson went to Georgia Tech and Nazeviah Burris bolted for Arkansas State.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Many car parts are glued together rather than riveted, screwed, or bolted, and the robots and spray guns that apply those bonding agents need to be cleaned.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Foster’s hurried firing on Sunday morning comes after his hurried hiring in February 2024, his placement a band-aid one week after Chip Kelly bolted to be offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
When security is built in rather than bolted on, multitenant systems can rival or even surpass single-tenant ones.
—Khash Kiani, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Many of the plants have bolted or gone to seed or withered in the heat.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Cal Poly bolted 75 yards on nine plays for its first TD, a 12-yard pass from 6-foot-6 Ty Dieffenbach to Michael Briscoe.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
In the second quarter Friday night, Beatty bolted down the middle of the field to catch Altmyer’s pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
One of the most loved is Mgarr ix-Xini Valley, whose easy access and varied topography offer bolted and trad routes of all grades.
—AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025
The top three receivers all transferred to new schools as Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson went to Georgia Tech and Nazeviah Burris bolted for Arkansas State.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolted
Verb
-
However those who saw rates remaining the same jumped to 7 members, indicating a more hawkish position for the Fed and raising the ire of the current administration.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Intel shares jumped 33% to around $33 a share in premarket trading following news of the deal.—
John Melloy,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both times, Brown wrestled off a defender and raced for gains of 20-plus yards.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer strode to the scene as armed officers raced past him.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the image from 1984, Prow Knob is almost entirely surrounded by the Alsek Glacier, but by 1999, the glacier had retreated, encircling only half of the mountain.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Callas lost her voice and retreated to her mausoleum-like apartment on the Avenue Georges Mandel in Paris’ posh sixteenth arrondissement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
García exclaimed in her acceptance speech.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Ripa exclaimed after the audience gasped.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Parvati Shallow has once again devoured her prey.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
-
For weeks, Oasis zealots have devoured online videos of the siblings strolling out onstage together, arms raised in victory and hugs brief yet genuine.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Work has sped up over recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The Hyundai then sped away from the crash east on 39th Street, police said in an incident report.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The four gunmen fled the scene, and police were able to safely rescue the family and take them to the hospital.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Routh allegedly fled the scene but was later arrested by a local sheriff's office on a nearby interstate.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Work is implied but never shouted.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Herzl shouted him down and insisted on political plurality.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolted. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share