as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the jolting news about our friend's premature death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
Lilian did not mind telling the truth, but truths could be startling and leave people uneasy—spooked, Lilian called that state.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025 -
As the cars ripped by on the track, the speed is startling, and almost doesn’t make sense.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Symptoms like a fast heart rate, or shortness of breath, shaking and chills, confusion or lethargy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
Now, astronomers have zeroed in on the surprising origin of the unusual radio pulses: a dead star, called a white dwarf, that is closely orbiting a small, cool red dwarf star.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
-
So when Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love finishes a 24-yard scramble by puffing his chest and taunting Jarrett, the response is far from surprising.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Even just having a small role in a movie like that is amazing.—
Brian Davids,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Regardless of your political affiliation, one thing is certain in these uncertain times: an amazing array of beer is being brewed across the United States.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The stunning layer cake is perfect for spring celebrations.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Gavin Newsom makes stunning admission on Dems' dwindling support.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Not literal strings, of course—but tiny loops or snippets of vibrating energy.—
Tom Siegfried,
JSTOR Daily,
19 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
An executive order, delivered Friday, cites national security concerns for pulling the deal.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
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
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.
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share