JERK Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

jerk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjərk

Definition of jerk

as in bastard

a person whose behavior is offensive to others his constant rudeness and insensitivity made everyone think he was a real jerk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tug

the act or an instance of applying force on something so that it moves in the direction of the force guided the rowboat with a jerk of the rope

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jerk

2 of 2

verb

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

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as in to twitch

to make jerky or restless movements you've got to quit jerking, or the barber will nick you by accident

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the car jerked with every shift of the gear

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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 jerk

Noun

The Ars OpenForum is a place for readers to ask questions, compare notes, argue (without being jerks to each other), and go down all sorts of rabbit holes. — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 The latter accidentally does happen, which leads to power struggles between the bigoted jerk and our trio of heroines. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Henry drove off and sped up to 45 mph before jerking the car. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Our step-by-step guide shows you how to make quick work of dicing the tear-jerking bulb. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk

Noun

Mid-round, golfers head to the Halfway House for burger dogs and fish tacos, and the Links Margarita has apparently achieved something close to cult status among regulars.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
These days, her feed is more professionally focused, showcasing mostly red-carpet looks and key art and the occasional photo of her beloved rescue dog, Billie.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dog

Verb

The catch is that the number of neutrons in the universe plummeted during the game, like chairs being yanked out of line.

— Cara Giovanetti, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
However, multiple lab-wide reorganizations after NASA yanked its flagship Mars project increased the overhead for other projects like GRACE-Continuity.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

This is not easy for Robin (Griffin), who, judging by his nervously twitching legs and tendency to info-dump on interlocutors, finds ordinary interactions very stressful.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
When Karen goes to visit Hanneke in the hospital, Hanneke’s hand starts to twitch.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

The policeman held on to Shorty’s biceps and shook them slightly, both giving the sense of a loving embrace and using his strength to lift Shorty ever so slightly off the ground and clear of the entrance.

— Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
The trailer ends with Taylor-Johnson shaking and looking toward the sky as his transformation into a wolf appears to approach.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of shake

Noun

What followed were Zoom-inclusive mediation meetings, the revelation of tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and something about clown school.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Twisty the clown crept around, Rubber Man made a second appearance, and black dahlias festooned every table.

— Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

Their informal ‘pull-aside’ comes on the heels of a sweeping oil deal granting the United States a major stake in Venezuela’s vast reserves.

— Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Most notably, the president will meet face-to-face with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez in a pull-aside meeting.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to consistently move the football, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026