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

For instance, John reads a novel and thinks that the main character, Dorn, is a jerk who should have been put in prison at the end of the tale. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 Johnson said the bill was meant to curtail malicious records requests, which do happen, where a citizen goes after copious amounts of records just to be a jerk and cost the government time and money. — Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026

Verb

Suddenly, the tent jerked and wobbled. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 Although not all the novel’s major characters make it to the end of this uplifting yet tear-jerking work of historical fiction, Six-Thirty safely perseveres. — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk

Noun

On the other side are industry advocates, who say the animals are well cared for, the stables are fine and the owners and drivers love their horses like most pet owners love their dogs.

— Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
In practical terms, this means the HSD Gen 3 can be set up for more than a light bag or two, taking a child, an adult passenger, a family dog, groceries, or heavier everyday cargo.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Definition of dog

Noun

The counselor at the helm of the Hobie stood up and tried to alert the tug crew before impact, prosecutors say.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Trajectories are shaped by the force of a micrometeoroid's expulsion from the comet's nucleus, along with the gentle push of radiation from the sun and the gravitational tug of the planets.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of tug

Verb

Then we’re yanked into Louis’s hazy POV, from which Armand is reading another one of his apology letters.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Johnson yanks veterans' benefits package An effort to advance a package of VA benefits bills this morning on the House floor went down in flames – the latest in Speaker Mike Johnson's struggle to get Republicans on the same page.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.

— Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

Penta went for a Mexican Destroyer on the apron, but Rusev shook him off as the heels took control.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Keegan was not interested in being figurehead or a legend in the executive boxes, shaking hands and reminiscing about the old days.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of shake

Noun

This take on the mad clown of Gotham is less Jack Nicholson and George Romero, choosing a more stoic approach inspired by Conrad Veidt silent films and German expressionism.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
Mimi said one customer had a picture of a scary clown in his profile and his name listed as MURDER, in all caps.

— Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

As someone who fed on emotion and belonging throughout his career, Keegan had always felt the pull of Newcastle United, the club of his father.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Russia sliding deeper into China’s gravitational pull may be the most consequential long-term outcome of the entire war.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

The statue is dragged via ropes by grunting Trojans before being lurched upright against a sacred temple, once again jostling those inside.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Adams’ shoulders lurched on the bench, while Richards fell to his knees, dug his afro into the grass, and closed his eyes in pain.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 July 2026