jackknife

noun

Definition of jackknifenext
1
as in pocketknife

Related Words

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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
  • Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring a controversy over an attorney’s social media post and a pocketknife discovered by Transportation Security Administration officers.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Witnesses later told officers what led to the stabbing and directed them to a home in the 1700 block of Depot Road, where officers found a knife believed to have been used in the attack, along with other evidence.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Use a utility or X-Acto knife to trim the excess film from the right side and bottom of the window.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of knife
Noun
  • Defender Lucas Bartlett took a corner kick from Keisuke Kurokawa and scored with a header to pull DC United even in the 65th minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The midfielder netted a header into the top middle of the goal from close range off a corner kick from Angelina for her sixth goal of the campaign.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of header
Noun
  • That is not Brutus sharpening his dagger on the Senate steps – that is what good governance looks like, and by any rule of good governance, Goldman Sachs is lucky to have David Solomon continuing at the helm.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Dansby Swanson’s third-inning strikeout with two on and no outs in Game 2 was the dagger.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of dagger
Noun
  • On Friday, Tesla reported better-than-expected third-quarter vehicle deliveries, lifting the stock almost 5%, but the company still posted a 2% year-over-year drop.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The practical argument for wind-and-rain protection applies equally to spring transitional weather, and the trickle-down to Zara and Uniqlo means the shape will stay in stores well past this fall’s drop cycle.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop
Noun
  • Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University (of no relation to the candidate), sometimes jokes that Roy Cooper is like Mister Rogers, if Mister Rogers carried a switchblade.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of switchblade
Noun
  • Karen Elson wore a silk-and-velvet slip dress from the archive.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In spite of the slip-up, Grant survived until the end of the episode.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 2 Oct. 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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