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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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
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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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Rubin: There was a surprising lack of campiness to this whole thing.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
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This ability was not entirely surprising, given Flack’s musical background.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 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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The Foggy scene also came alongside an amazing fight between Daredevil and Bullseye that was one of the series’ best.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Learn about some of the native plants and animals that make Volusia County such an amazing place.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Thousands gather to witness the 180,000 lights illuminate the district in a stunning display.—
Monty Davis,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
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Mazatlán is part of the Mexican Riviera, with stunning beaches, booming tourism, and rich cultural heritage.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2025.
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