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
  • Police allegedly found a pocketknife on him and a gun in the vehicle.
    — Mamie Bah, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Brown, 34, could face the death penalty in the killing of Zarutska, who was stabbed from behind with a pocketknife while seated and looking at her phone in an unprovoked attack on August 22, 2025.
    — Andy Buck, CNN Money, 9 June 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
  • The descriptions of the perpetrators, many of whom carried a knife, were often eerily similar; several were roughly the same height, weight and race.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
  • An 18-year-old man accused of using a knife, sword and ax to murder his stepfather was formally charged on Monday.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of knife
Noun
  • Rhode Island responded with a goal in the 25th minute on a header from midfielder Hugo Bacharach.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • France nearly scored off the corner, but Bounou made another save on a header.
    — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Definition of header
Noun
  • This instantly alerts nearby Deadite Jessica to the dagger's presence, prompting her to turn her attention to eliminating the Price family and destroying it.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 July 2026
  • The one useful nugget revealed in its sinister pages this time is the existence of an ancient dagger that is the sole means of killing a deadite for good.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of dagger
Noun
  • Changes over the seven days ranged from a drop of 5% to an increase of 2%.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Another investigator testified that the distance from the apparent sniper's perch to the tent where Kirk was speaking was about 410 feet, with a 68-foot vertical drop.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of drop
Noun
  • 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
  • Forrest removed the cap of one and found a switchblade.
    — James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of switchblade
Noun
  • Pajama sets, nightgowns and slips are all hung on delicate curving racks in the center of the room.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
  • True to character, Hadid chose a $1,420 Prada version of the humble basic and paired it with a midi-length slip skirt.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Definition of slip

Browse Nearby Words

jacking (up)
jackknife
jackknives
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Cite this Entry

“Jackknife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jackknife. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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