1
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things
pack the glass vase so that it won't fall victim to any hard jolts in transit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in surprise
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
the news of the CEO's sudden retirement was a jolt to us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to shake
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 to yank
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 to shock
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
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 jolt
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The tariff jolt on Friday comes after markets this week have already been floundering under pressure from the bond market.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Our Happy Place Country: USA; Running Time: 89 Min.
Director: Paul Bickel
Raya jolts awake on the forest floor—shivering, disoriented, and alone.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Noun
The hope is that Mayer can provide a similar jolt with Bregman out, then translate that into a full-time MLB gig.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The tariff jolt on Friday comes after markets this week have already been floundering under pressure from the bond market.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Verb
The Kurtz home run jolted the remaining crowd that stuck around for the final inning.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Our Happy Place Country: USA; Running Time: 89 Min.
Director: Paul Bickel
Raya jolts awake on the forest floor—shivering, disoriented, and alone.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolt
Noun
-
In 2025, at least two cyclists — Zhen Cheng Kuang, 76; and Cornelius Jesse, 59 — died in collisions on city streets.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
-
There have already been several aviation tragedies and incidents this year — including January’s midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet — that have prompted calls to increase safety measures.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The deaths of children do put the parents in a state of finality—this was not a surprise to Lilian.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
15 June 2025
-
The surprise attack on Tehran raised the stakes in a long-running internal dispute, whose stakes could increase as Israel’s need for support grows in response to Iranian retaliation.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Carnal, with care – Jis shook the bedrock of the cordial, conservative Guadalajara community with filth, camp and candor.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
9 June 2025
-
Getty Images The European startup scene was recently shaken by a LinkedIn debate with some venture capitalists applying pressure on founders to embrace a culture of overwork to compete on a global stage.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Even though waxing is tolerable, having a numbing cream applied over the hair and skin about 20 minutes before the wax is applied is supposed to help manage the discomfort of having the wax yanked off.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
3 June 2025
-
Ventura’s stylist and friend, Deonte Nash, recalled a pushy Combs yanking Ventura away from her 29th birthday celebration in 2015.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
The near miss shocked the country, but polling showed sharp partisan divides even in the case of the near assassination of a presidential candidate.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
-
Last season, Forest had a small core of players who almost shocked European football by qualifying for the Champions League.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
The Cardinals have enough right-handed thump (especially with Herrera) to utilize Burleson at his strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
The admission follows the revelation that President Donald Trump had vetoed Israel's plan to target Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
The new revelation underscores the aggressiveness of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg amid concerns that some of its AI technology was lagging in performance.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
That was after the pandemic lockdown brought concerts — and much of the world — shuddering to a halt in 2020 and much of 2021 (and before the COVID resurgence that followed).—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
Trump’s early-morning social-media missive caused markets to shudder.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolt. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share