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
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
Did the crisis highlight the Kafkaesque absurdity of Cold War politics by sparking an international circle-jerk between various representatives from South Korea, North Korea, Japan, America, and the Soviet Union?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025
Another video posted on X, showing a much closer view, appeared to show Kirk shot in the neck, before jerking over to his left side with blood visibly pouring out.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
But note that Bill and Ted aren’t jerks — watch Excellent Adventure now and you’ll be struck by how incredibly sunny its humor is.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
Did the crisis highlight the Kafkaesque absurdity of Cold War politics by sparking an international circle-jerk between various representatives from South Korea, North Korea, Japan, America, and the Soviet Union?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
From rice and peas to jerk chicken and ital stew ( a vegetarian dish), Jamaican food is rich with history and pride.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025
Another video posted on X, showing a much closer view, appeared to show Kirk shot in the neck, before jerking over to his left side with blood visibly pouring out.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
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The Wall Street Journal reports that regardless of how that fiscal tug-of- war turns out, health insurance premiums paid by Americans are expected to rise another 8% or 9% next year.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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In the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the borders and cultures of Peru, Colombia and Brazil converge, a tiny, shape-shifting island has become the unlikely setting for a diplomatic tug of war.—
Sarah Hutter,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While the Russian threatened to make history against Chicago just two nights earlier—he’d reached the 894 mark before the Blackhawks yanked their goalie—Ovechkin apparently wasn’t interested in breaking the record by way of an empty net.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Singleton’s simply too important as the lead communicator of the Broncos’ defense — wearing the green dot — for coordinator Vance Joseph to yank off the field.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Whether it’s shaken, stirred, dirty, or dry, the martini remains one of the world’s most iconic and timeless drinks.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Your mood and approach will have a big impact on your dog’s behavior.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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The dog, who was unhurt, was reunited with its owners.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But men’s college basketball is now officially back, and Monday launches us into a 2025-26 season with undeniable pull.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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No, think about it—impossibly creamy mashed potatoes, herbaceous stuffing, pull-apart bread rolls, green bean casserole, gooey mac and cheese—all veg!—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Back then, Newcastle’s thin squad staggered between results, lurching from challenging the best sides in the league to befuddling losses to inferior squads.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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But as the shutdown lurches through its fifth week, and legislators direct blame at each other, food pantries across the Kansas City area are left to grapple with the fallout.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bieber picked up the victory for Toronto after tossing five-and-a-third innings and giving up just one run on four hits.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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For those without any shelter, there’s always the risk that valuables or important documents will get tossed during a cleanup, and public records show that city crews are rarely flagging belongings for storage.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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