Jolt
Jolt noun - Something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected.
Usage example: the news of the CEO's sudden retirement was a jolt to us all
Surprise is a synonym for jolt in shock topic. In some cases you can use "Surprise" instead the word "Jolt" as a noun or a verb, when it comes to topics like startle.
Surprise
Surprise noun - Something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected.
Usage example: the anniversary party was such a complete surprise that the couple was speechless for a moment
Jolt is a synonym for surprise in astonish topic. You can use "Jolt" instead the word "Surprise" as a noun or a verb, if it concerns topics such as something amazing.
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| nice | nice jolt | nice surprise |
| painful | painful jolt | painful surprise |
| nasty | nasty jolt | nasty surprise |
| powerful | powerful jolt | powerful surprise |
| Other adjectives: massive, huge, little, new, final, lethal, slightest, bigger. | ||
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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In the Fast Money round during John O'Hurley's first season, while explaining to the second contestant that they cannot repeat any of the first contestant's answers or else they will "hear this sound", he would often jolt in faked surprise upon the "buzz buzz" sound being played.
Source: Series / Family Feud
Cite this Source
Surprise and Jolt. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/jolt/surprise
Jolt & Surprise. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/jolt/surprise>.
Surprise or Jolt. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/jolt/surprise.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "jolt" and "surprise" have occurred on timeline