Synonyms of jerk

jerk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjərk 

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

• bastard
• dog
• clown
• joker
• skunk
• creep
• idiot
• rat
• snake
• moron
• beast
• brute
• brat
• villain
• heel
• fool
• swine
• scumbag
• boor
• schmuck
• louse
• toad
• cad
• bugger
• so-and-so
• scum
• nuisance
• bounder
• stinker
• lout
• rotter
• reptile
• pill
• buzzard
• cur
• slob
• dirtbag
• bleeder
• varmint
• hound
• vermin
• slimeball
• cretin
• blighter
• sleazebag
• sleazeball
• son of a gun
• barbarian
• chuff
• sod
• slime
• nerd
• churl
• crud
• fink
• scuzzball
• sleaze
• crumb
• savage
• stinkard
• loudmouth
• rat fink
• wretch
• scoundrel
• rogue
• caveman
• jackass
• scab
• dolt
• lowlife
• vulgarian
• rascal
• imbecile
• roughneck
• scamp
• blockhead
• miscreant
• Neanderthal
• doofus
• snob
• turkey
• dork
• booby
• ninny
• dope
• airhead
• goon
• nut
• pest
• insolent
• snot
• nincompoop
• dweeb
• schmo
• dink
• nitwit
• snip
• nit
• half-wit
• snoot
• birdbrain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hero
• gentleman
• lady
• heroine
• idol
• role model
• saint
• angel

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tug
• pull
• yank
• wrench
• haul
• draw
• pluck
• grab
• tow
• drag
• hitch
• twitch
• snatch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• thrust
• shove
• heave

jerk

2 of 2

verb

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

• yank
• twitch
• pull
• lurch
• tug
• shake
• grab
• buck
• hitch
• jolt
• bump
• tear
• drag
• hoick
• snatch
• rip
• jog
• jiggle
• jig
• stagger
• pluck
• jounce
• lug
• joggle
• wrench
• snap (up)
• tweak
• pitch
• wring
• wrest

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

• twitch
• toss
• fidget
• squirm
• twist
• fiddle
• wiggle
• shake
• tremble
• shiver
• writhe
• jiggle
• jig
• wriggle
• thrash
• shudder
• flutter
• thresh
• squiggle
• quiver
• flit
• quake
• pace
• twitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• relax
• calm (down)
• unwind
• still

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

• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• quiver
• tremble
• shiver
• twitch
• sway
• wobble
• bucket
• jiggle
• jolt
• swing
• agitate
• convulse
• quake
• jounce
• rock
• joggle
• throb
• judder
• flicker
• wave
• flutter
• chatter
• thrill
• pulse
• fluctuate
• oscillate
• quaver
• undulate
• waver
• palpitate
• pulsate
• dodder
• beat
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jerk

Noun

Led and inspired by Chef Wayne Sharpe, this fast Jamaican restaurant serves iconic island meals like jerk chicken, jerk shrimp, vegan jerk, pineapple plantains, rice and peas, and Jamaican patties. — Alexandra Phelps july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice. — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026

Verb

Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026

Some were petty — like Reese committing a foul against Clark, then jerking her head back, impersonating Clark as a flopper. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026