as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the jolting news about our friend's premature death
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shaking
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 yanking
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 appalling
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
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What’s new and startling is the revelation that the Bar gave her a free pass by rejecting two previous complaints.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025 -
At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Karen Bass made a startling claim.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Symptoms like a fast heart rate, or shortness of breath, shaking and chills, confusion or lethargy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
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Your ruler Mercury will also station retrograde in Sagittarius—your seventh house of partnerships—on November 9, revealing all the ways your desires for independence may be shaking things up with up your closest allies and enemies.—
Roya Backlund,
StyleCaster,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The announcement, though abrupt, was not altogether surprising: City leaders have fretted the loss of Blue Diamond since the 1990s, and the cooperative has been steadily cutting costs in recent years.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Keep in mind that a spicy square between Mars and Uranus on June 15 could also lead to romantic developments or surprising revelations, spontaneously or behind the scenes.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Here’s a look at his amazing performance. Notes . . .—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Our region also has a number of other destinations that might not necessarily have the Dark Sky designation, but their clear skies, lack of light pollution, or access to astronomical instruments allow visitors to see star clusters, planets, and other amazing features of the night sky.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Designed by the famed 18th-century landscape architect Capability Brown, the estate’s sprawling grounds and stunning interiors have lent their timeless elegance to countless productions.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 June 2025
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Akeelah and the Bee Keke Palmer shines in her stunning breakout role as spelling genius Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles with a gift for words.—
Lesley O'Toole,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Not literal strings, of course—but tiny loops or snippets of vibrating energy.—
Tom Siegfried,
JSTOR Daily,
19 Dec. 2024
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Because everything is moving, everything vibrating in one great dance that is the act of becoming.—
Jennifer Harlan,
New York Times,
13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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An executive order, delivered Friday, cites national security concerns for pulling the deal.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement The lawsuit comes as insurers have been pulling back from California’s home insurance market en masse, often citing the risk of catastrophic events brought on by climate change.—
Andrea Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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