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
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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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Along with the physical camouflage and protection, it is thought to be effective in startling predators such as the wasp caught on film, giving both caterpillars and hummingbird hatchlings a greater chance of survival.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
ArsTechnica,
4 Apr. 2025 -
Instead, those who have been paying attention have watched something startling.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 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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And speaking of monologues, Carrie Coon’s surprising final sentiment has to be one of the finale’s pinnacles.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2025
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At the end of Season 3, Belinda finds herself in a surprising position of power after Greg offers her $100,000 to keep quiet about his identity.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 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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Just imagine the potpourri of amazing facial expressions that would have been on display had Sai been sitting on the jury.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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To me, every place has magic—there amazing secrets in its visuals and people.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The stunning move may have repercussions on hundreds of other international students who have been targeted by the administration.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt then said Tuesday that Trump’s threats of even higher tariffs on China will become reality after midnight, when imports from China will be taxed at a stunning 104% rate.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2025.
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