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
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Recent Examples of jolting
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
The video is jolting, honestly.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Next, adding slow-tempo movement builds capacity without jolting your system.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace is jolting momentum in the Senate to pass a bipartisan sanctions bill against Moscow.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The results were jolting and sui generis.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
The video is jolting, honestly.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Next, adding slow-tempo movement builds capacity without jolting your system.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace is jolting momentum in the Senate to pass a bipartisan sanctions bill against Moscow.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The results were jolting and sui generis.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
-
Here are five startling facts about this devastating storm.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
All through 2016 and 2017, Farm Bank grew at a startling rate.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While shaking hands and chatting with members of the public, one person shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew as the monarch came near.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Though slower, S waves and surface waves cause the most damage due to their intense ground-shaking motion.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In both cases, as the danger was spreading through the waters of the Florida reefs, scientists were busily yanking surviving corals out of the water and saving them in aquariums across the state.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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Mel Brooks’ best comedy shares many similarities with his other revered films – a strong grip of genre beats, a non-stop barrage of gags yanking us forward, and an eagerness to give every performer a chance to comedically shine.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The birthing experience was a surprising, but happy ending to an easy pregnancy.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Considering this team has Flagg, and was hosting the champion Thunder, there was a surprising number of empties at the AAC.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Andy sighed, shuddering between them.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The White House will be well aware of this fact, particularly in an environment where fiscally conservative Republicans will be shuddering at Uncle Sam’s $37 trillion (and growing) national debt.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Having documented much of her daughter’s health battle on social media, Atkinson shared the footage of her tear-jerking wish on TikTok (@kayatkin).—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Sounds like the plot of a tear-jerking movie, no?—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This interview also comes just weeks after her shocking Dancing With the Stars elimination.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
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His nearly $50 million buyout is the second richest in college football history, shocking not just for the price but also because of the team’s recent success.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
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And being able to do that for a brand of my own would be so amazing — definitely my biggest goal.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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