1
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
his constant rudeness and insensitivity made everyone think he was a real jerk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
1
as in to yank
to move or cause to move with a sharp quick motion
I jerked to one side to avoid getting hit jerked the leash to get the dog's attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to twitch
to make jerky or restless movements
you've got to quit jerking, or the barber will nick you by accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the car jerked with every shift of the gear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of jerk
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The passengers include the requisite obnoxious jerk, Dan (Angus Sampson), already throwing his weight around and breaking no-smoking rules at LAX.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 May 2026
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
The mayor didn’t add that line about not wanting to be a jerk that time.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The passengers include the requisite obnoxious jerk, Dan (Angus Sampson), already throwing his weight around and breaking no-smoking rules at LAX.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
My empty paper bowl jerked along the belt, stopping under each funnel.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 May 2026
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
What was remarkable about Newcastle was how one tug on the thread caused Nuno’s players to unravel.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Aqua Lares, originally known as Giant I, was built as an icebreaking tug in 1974 by the Dutch shipyard IHC Verschure.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Once, Denise yanked an earring out of Djena’s left ear, tearing the lobe.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
That infuriatingly catchy Kars4Kids donation jingle got yanked off the air in California.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
My jaw twitched uncontrollably.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
Here, American fighter planes, cargo ships and Japanese freighters have spent decades transforming into thriving artificial reefs, draped in coral and surrounded by twitching clouds of tropical fish.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Players were visibly shaken, as were many in the stands, as medical staff from both teams and EMS placed him on a stretcher and carted him off the field.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Police also said a man walking his dog was shot in the back Sunday morning.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Any attempt by a participant, or any other person, to participate using more than one dog/pet, using any method, may result in disqualification by Sponsor, in its sole discretion.—
Tim McGovern,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Agents favor structured, verifiable signals over recognition or emotional pull.—
Zac Brandenberg,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
The open floor plan meanders its way around to a cozy family room and a formal dining room, along with a spacious vaulted kitchen featuring Shaker-style cabinetry with gold pulls, an eat-in island, an apron-front sink, and an accompanying breakfast nook.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
So between those two things, the balance of gerrymanders has lurched pretty abruptly toward the right.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, federal policy has lurched in opposite directions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The victim described, matter-of-factly, how her trafficker had cut up jalapeños and tossed them into a toilet before banging her head against the inside of the bowl and dunking it into the water.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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And while tossing and turning is common, some disturbances are more unsettling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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