bolt

Definition of boltnext
1
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers

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2
3
4
as in to exclaim
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling bolted out the cuss word without thinking

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5
as in to inhale
to swallow or eat greedily the way you bolted those hot dogs, it's no wonder you're feeling a little queasy

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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 bolt This can include not coming when called, digging under or going over a fence, or simply bolting. Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Wilson scrambled back to his feet after diving headfirst into second, then bolted for third base. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Thousands of heavy vehicles can make tiny cracks grow near welds, bolted connections or older steel details. Alex Krasnok, Scientific American, 25 June 2026 This horse bolted for a reason! Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bolt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt
Verb
  • The blaze remained confined to the wrecking yard property, despite briefly jumping a fence and igniting vegetation to the west.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • His father, Brian Cohn, jumped into the pool to try to pull him out, but the suction from the drain was too strong.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Ships raced through the night to reach New York Harbor, all trying to be first to dock at Ellis Island.
    Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Adeline André will close out the official calendar in Paris, on Thursday at 4pm, while a number of attendees will fly to Rome for the Fendi show that evening at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • Norway and Brazil were locked in a tense, back-and-forth game Sunday, in the round of 16, until Haaland came flying in with that header to give Norway a 1-0 lead.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Lee, 31, exclaimed, and the pair, mere moments after meeting, snapped a selfie as Gonzalez, 28, presented his Korean bulgogi beef quesadilla to the camera with a grin.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Navarro exclaimed, just before the show cut away to an ad.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • When inhaled, these microscopic particles can enter the lungs and bloodstream, potentially causing swelling and inflammation.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
  • When wildfire smoke is inhaled, volatile gases and tiny particles can pass through the lining of the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
    Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
    Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Boise and Ada County have created infractions for speeding on the Greenbelt, and the city worked with Lime, a popular electric transportation company, to limit scooter speeds in parts of the city.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Clay, along with a passenger, fled on foot, leaving the wrecked car behind, police said.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • The suspect fled on foot, and as of Sunday, had not been apprehended by police yet.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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