herky-jerky

adjective

ˈhər-kē-ˈjər-kē 

: characterized by sudden, irregular, or unpredictable movement or style

a film criticized for its herky-jerky editing

Synonyms of herky-jerky

• rough
• uneven
• jerky
• choppy
• bumpy

Examples of herky-jerky in a Sentence

filmed in a herky-jerky style that will give many moviegoers a headache

Recent Examples on the Web

Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, particularly for players such as Dončić, whose games rely on herky-jerky changes of speed and direction. — Law Murray, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026

The single thread throughout this herky-jerky tale is, oddly enough, the novels of Charles Dickens, taught by James’ grandfather, absorbed by James and quoted endlessly by Irving. — The Know, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

The music has gotten deeper and sweeter; jokey gambits and herky-jerky sounds have fallen away, replaced by a rapturous fusion of deep house and ambient. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 2 Feb. 2026

The Bone Temple is in many ways a more conventional film than 28 Years Later; DaCosta thankfully doesn’t try to re-create the herky-jerky rhythms and mixed-media montages of Boyle’s picture. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of jerky

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for herky-jerky

• jerky
• murky
• perky
• quirky
• turki