HERKY-JERKY Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

herky-jerky

adjective

ˈhər-kē-ˈjər-kē

Definition of herky-jerky

as in rough

marked by a series of sharp quick motions filmed in a herky-jerky style that will give many moviegoers a headache

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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 herky-jerky The way that life unfolds in herky-jerky, unpredictable rhythms informs the experimental approach that Dijon, a 33-year-old producer-singer, takes to R&B. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 If the segues in Scene don’t feel haphazard and herky-jerky, this is in no small part because of the role addiction plays as connective tissue between sections, a kind of leitmotif. — Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 In a throwback to the warts-and-all silliness of the family’s legendary MTV reality show, The Osbournes, Coming Home appears to lean into the domestic comedy of the Osbourne clan, opening with a jittery Ozzy begging Sharon to stop driving in a herky-jerky manner. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025 The lineup of dishes and sauces and combos verges on overwhelming; they’re presented in a mix of typefaces and colors, and punctuated by herky-jerky photo animations—a waving hand holding a soft-serve twist, spidery fingers with brass nail extensions used in the traditional Thai dance Fawn Leb. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for herky-jerky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for herky-jerky

Adjective

Lemmo With this kind of kit, the Lemmo 3 should be up to the task of tackling steep inclines and all manner of rough terrain.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
The controls and graphics are pretty rough on GameCube, though.

— Verge Staff, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

Bloys is a near 25-year veteran of HBO who has steered TV’s most prestigious brand through choppy waters and three massive corporate takeovers in eight years.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
The New Shag So, the new shag is all about using softer layers to create a less choppy, more feminine cut that still maintains the shape and feel of a classic shag.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of choppy

Adjective

September was a bumpy ride for stocks and bonds, but strategies using options can help investors generate a little more portfolio income.

— Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
This is the one who shows up, locked and loaded and ready for duty, in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger, one bumpy ride of a satire slash symphony-of-burning-Rome-fiddlers.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of bumpy

Browse Nearby Words

heritages

herky-jerky

hermetic

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“Herky-jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herky-jerky. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of herky-jerky

adjective

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