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
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
But the truth is that Robby being a jerk is one of the most fascinating threads of this show’s already exciting second season.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Some signs that the carburetor is clogged on a snow blower are starting then dying a few seconds afterward, jerking, sputtering noises, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
For more untouched shores, Frenchman's Cove in Portland is just as renowned for its natural feel as for the jerk chicken stands that set up shop nearby.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
But the truth is that Robby being a jerk is one of the most fascinating threads of this show’s already exciting second season.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Some signs that the carburetor is clogged on a snow blower are starting then dying a few seconds afterward, jerking, sputtering noises, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
If a public request tugs at private feelings, pause to check your boundaries, then accept only what supports family rhythms and true priorities.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
His latest work treasures motion in both its study of dance music that straddles the 20th and 21st centuries and its gentle tug away from pure pop.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This White House has also gone out of its way to slow or halt the development of solar and wind power, including multiple attempts to yank permits for offshore wind projects that have all been rejected by courts.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
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Grand Rapids yanked Sherlock with 44 seconds to play, and the extra man paid off as Jameson Duell scored 15 seconds later to tie the game and send it into overtime.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kearse twitched briefly after the lethal drugs began entering his system but stopped moving several minutes later.—
Freida Frisaro,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Levy brought the dog in dead and claimed that that the dog had a seizure and was vomiting, choking and twitching before his death.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Witnesses described the Israeli airstrikes as particularly intense, shaking homes in the area.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hopes for any stability and settling out, however, have been quickly shaken.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Identifying Coyotes As part of the same genus as domestic dogs, coyotes may resemble a dog from a distance.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
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And also, dogs would be used to flush out deer hiding in bushes or in steep terrain, to expose them to waiting sharpshooters.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Love Story also does a great job of conveying the gravitational pull of the Kennedy family and the media circus that surrounded them.—
Claudia Williams,
Architectural Digest,
5 Mar. 2026
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This pull-apart treat will add a pop of bright citrus flavor to your brunch spread.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Additionally, Greg likes nuts and cocoa, can toss a penny into a jar from across a room, and played minor league hockey, which will put him back on skates here.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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In the dream, of course, the victor is on offense, tossing away the bat with one arm raised.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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