jackknife

noun

Definition of jackknifenext
1
as in pocketknife

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in belly flop

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 jackknife The senior jackknife had a 10-yard rushing TD, then a punt return for a TD to give the Eagles a 14-12 lead. — Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025 Singh allegedly made a U-turn in an unauthorized area on the Florida Turnpike, causing his truck to jackknife and collide with a minivan. — Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025 An investigation shows that a semi-truck pulling tandem trailers hydroplaned, causing the driver to lose control and the semi to jackknife. — Sam Gillette, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The semi then crashed into two other 18-wheelers, causing one to jackknife and hit a Jeep Compass, Ford Mustang and Honda, officials with DPS told WFAA-TV. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for jackknife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jackknife
  1. pocketknife
  2. belly flop
  3. knife
  4. header
  5. dagger
  6. drop
  7. switchblade
  8. slip
Noun
  • Cody Lawrence also said a pocketknife fell out of his sweatshirt during the struggle, so his father may have been stabbed.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • My grandfather, PopPop, is 99 and still shucks oysters using a bandana draped over one hand and a pocketknife in the other.
    — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
Definition of pocketknife
Noun
  • On splashdown, the rocket tipped over and belly flopped into the sea as expected, broke apart and exploded as left over propellants ignited.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 22 May 2026
  • Maybe that Great White shark out there did a big ol' belly flop?
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of belly flop
Noun
  • Metcalf pushed Anthony, according to witnesses, who said Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The white cross with red surround has long been a sacred badge in the world of knives, indicating the timeless dependability and versatility of the Swiss Army knife.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of knife
Noun
  • Philadelphia came out aggressive in the second half, took control of the game, and tied it in the 58th minute on a close-range header from Neil Pierre on a cross from Milan Iloski after a free kick.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The rebound found Rafael Navarro at the back post, but his header was easily saved.
    — Daily News, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of header
Noun
  • By Bay City News An inmate serving a life sentence was convicted of assaulting a correctional officer in 2023 with a homemade dagger at Salinas Valley State Prison, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said.
    — Bay City News, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • True to form, Bladee’s daggers land with a delivery as sweet and honeyed as mead in his ethereal voice.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of dagger
Noun
  • Just across the street from the bus stop … lurks a deep drainage pool at the bottom of a sheer 12-foot drop from the street.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Colleges have add/drop periods and deadlines for students to enroll in courses for the semester.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop
Noun
  • If the trade does go through as is, then other questions about the Raptors sprout up — namely, what is to come of RJ Barrett, the 26-year-old switchblade entering the final season of his contract and eligible for an extension this summer.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • It’s been a quarter century since the mostly Canadian supergroup New Pornographers sprang from the florid imagination of Carl Newman, a pop savant with an angel’s voice and switchblade wit.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of switchblade
Noun
  • Regularly cleaning out backpacks also can help reduce unnecessary weight and keep track of notes, permission slips and assignments.
    — Cheyanne Mumphrey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The harbor also has about 890 rental slips and more slips for guest boaters and others who may purchase ice, Ravitch said.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of slip

Browse Nearby Words

jacking (up)
jackknife
jackknives
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jackknife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jackknife. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on jackknife

Nglish: Translation of jackknife for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All