1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
pack the glass vase so that it won't fall victim to any hard jolts in transit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in shocks
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
the news of the CEO's sudden retirement was a jolt to us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shakes
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 jerks
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 appalls
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 jolts
Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
Residents across Santa Clara and San Benito counties reported feeling sharp jolts, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The Conjuring 2 is filled with sudden jolts, dog bells signaling danger, self-moving fire engine toys, and the infamous Crooked Man — all shot with cinematic tricks borrowed from '70s-era filmmaking.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Countless cups later, jolts of energy and lingering taste of nutty, chocolatey or caramel notes, each coffee shop in every neighborhood has its own voice and personality.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Fresh off a high-voltage, high-purpose runway—exuberant silhouettes and jolts of color lighting up Paris—Stella McCartney invited Vogue100 for a lunch dînatoire offering a closer look at her groundbreaking Summer 2026 collection and a post-show chat with the designer herself.
—Sasha Pinto, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2025
Mostly, though, Wingard deploys his first-person POV gimmick for the purposes of cheaply effective jolts.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Lauryn Higgins, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
An ice bath, by contrast, jolts the whole nervous system—not just the vagus nerve, Tracey wrote in an op-ed published in 2024.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Ice water jolts the nervous system.
—Dayanne S. Antonio, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.
—Verb
Inflammation and the immune system Being doused in cold water jolts your sympathetic nervous system into gear.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolts
Noun
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Blockers and tacklers were also forbidden from moving until the ball was caught, or touched the ground, reducing the number of full-speed collisions.—
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As satellite constellations grow, global cooperation is essential to avoid collisions and ensure effective space traffic management.—
Noun
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This is not an outright Sell signal by any means, more a potential emerging issue to be aware of, suggesting the market has a thinner psychological and positioning cushion underneath it to absorb any shocks.—
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The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.—
Verb
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Kicking off the Year With Self-Care These days, her morning ritual also includes Premier Protein shakes.—
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Berto is seen walking back to his truck, while the Tahoe driver walks toward the front end of the Tahoe, looks down at the bumper and shakes his head before turning to point the firearm at Berto, the affidavit said.—
Verb
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The boy jerks his head as if to wake himself, turns around abruptly and looks the other way, even though there’s nothing special to see besides darkness and emptiness, which is where a living eye should never look.—
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Paul goes to shake her hand but jerks it back, then gives her a left-handed handshake.—
Noun
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Megan Boyle, director of marketing for the Avalanche, also said there will be other surprises in store as well.—
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As with every year, there are plenty of surprises and just as many snubs among the nominees.—
Verb
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So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Verb
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Judy yanks Mikey’s roller trunk out of the mud and leads him toward one of the nearby hiking trails.—
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Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Noun
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But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.—
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According to Reconcept, the system performs especially well in high-stress environments where prolonged mental load impacts performance and recovery.—
Cite this Entry
“Jolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolts. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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