bolting 1 of 2

adjective

as in rushing

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bolting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bolt
1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers

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2
as in racing
to proceed or move quickly the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in retreating
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in exclaiming
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling bolted out the cuss word without thinking

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5
as in inhaling
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 bolting
Verb
This can include not coming when called, digging under or going over a fence, or simply bolting. — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 26 June 2026 You guys will normally read like 300-500 words before bolting. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026 So, a bit of shade can prevent bolting and keep the soil cooler, extending their harvest and yielding tender, flavorful roots. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2026 In that short time, shares have risen around 40%, bolting the company's valuation above that of Amazon's. — Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 June 2026 Legacy giants are bolting AI features onto old platforms to justify seat prices. — Mala Ramakrishnan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The goal is to move beyond simply bolting electric motors onto a conventional airframe powered by traditional engines. — David Szondy june 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2026 At the same time, the number of new hires and layoffs both tumbled after bolting higher in March; and voluntary quits fell to their lowest level in nearly six years, an indication of workers’ slipping confidence in the labor market. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 June 2026 Ujiri engineered the trade in 2018 that brought Leonard to the Raptors without the player agreeing to an extension, and the result was a championship followed by Leonard bolting to the Clippers. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolting
  1. rapid
  2. jumping
  3. racing
  4. retreating
  5. exclaiming
  6. inhaling
  7. running
  8. hurrying
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • At the heart of the clash is how to manage wild horse populations that can reproduce at a rapid clip.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of rapid
Verb
  • One of my earliest moviegoing memories is nearly jumping out of my seat at the sight of Doctor Octopus.
    — Brayden Garcia July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
  • Wednesday, a witness called 911 to report somebody jumping off the bridge, Knox said.
    — Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
Definition of jumping
Verb
  • In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Wildfire season is just beginning in the West, but firefighting resources are already strained following a windstorm last week that sent flames racing through Great Basin states mired in drought.
    — Evan Bush, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Definition of racing
Verb
  • Rather than retreating into defensive shape after losing possession, teams are immediately attempting to recover the ball high up the pitch.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Officials said the dog's owner attempted to use bear spray while retreating from the area but was unsuccessful.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Definition of retreating
Verb
  • Lyra donned her purple-and-pink mask, exclaiming at the colorful angelfish darting between her legs.
    — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • On a street by the harbor, crowds of people were squinting into the distance, exclaiming every time the whale exhaled.
    — Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
Definition of exclaiming
Verb
  • Avoid inhaling the dust—even food-grade—as prolonged exposure can irritate the lungs, says Harlow-Ellis.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 24 June 2026
  • Gonzalez worked to enforce a roadblock during the chemical plume without being informed about the dangers of inhaling the chemicals.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Definition of inhaling
Adjective
  • But none are filmmakers making their own movies while also running, or co-running, a major studio division.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
  • The difference between Denver’s running game with Dobbins (Weeks 1 to 10) and without him (Week 11 through the end of the season) has been well documented.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 19 June 2026
Definition of running
Verb
  • Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 May 2026
  • No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of hurrying

Browse Nearby Words

bolt-holes
bolting
bolts
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Cite this Entry

“Bolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolting. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bolting

Nglish: Translation of bolting for Spanish Speakers

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