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
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.
Recent Examples of jolting
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026 Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110. —Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026 Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026 The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East. —Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East. —Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues. —Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning. —Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Bachelorette took a risk by casting the already controversial Paul in hopes of jolting the franchise back to life after a hiatus season and declining ratings. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 In Sport, power delivery was more genial than jolting. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026 Oil prices continued their upward spiral Wednesday, as Israel and Iran threatened more attacks on petroleum facilities, jolting markets and sending the cost of a barrel of crude to nearly $110. —Evan Halper, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026 Having the benefit of two first-round picks could end up jolting the pass rush toward a more comfortable look in Week 1 of the season. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026 The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East. —Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Yet the surge in costs for oil and natural gas is still pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region’s heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East. —Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 Several lithographs are elegantly presented, and display the artist’s precision with narrative abstraction, and the emotional heat in his always jolting (in the best possible way) reds, oranges, and blues. —Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning. —Michele Gile, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolting
Adjective
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This choice makes those images that do stand in for Sasha’s line of sight all the more startling and forceful.— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
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Those startling stats mark a stunning reversal from the post-pandemic boom.— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.— CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2026
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The starts were violent, ground-shaking and painfully loud.— Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters in labor unions and in the House soon began yanking their endorsements.— Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra believed Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball should have been ejected after yanking on star center Bam Adebayo’s foot, causing an injury to his lower back.— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.— Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
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Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.— Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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While Survivor has plenty of surprising rules for contestants, socks are a small creature comfort that’s allowed.— Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
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This charming town on Lake Michigan has emerged as a surprising luxury hotspot, with 53 percent of listings now surpassing $1 million.— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That all came to a shuddering halt after Khashoggi’s death.— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
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Sat shuddering in my seat as the lights drew down.— Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.— David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
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The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However unlikely, here are four keys to the Kings shocking the world to advance for the first time since 2014.— Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
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Leo had particularly choice words after Trump threatened last week to destroy Iran in terms shocking even to many of his own supporters.— Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jolting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/jolting. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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