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
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Recent Examples of jerk
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Avoid jerking your torso up and down during bent-over rows or swinging your arms during front, lateral, and rear raises.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
Take the brake-by-wire system, which blends the disc brakes’ stopping power with the 849’s regenerative braking to reduce jerk, prevent lockup, and maximize performance.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
But then her limbs started jerking.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Avoid jerking your torso up and down during bent-over rows or swinging your arms during front, lateral, and rear raises.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
Finances and fun tug at each other as the dynamic Sun energizes your 2nd House of Budgeting and squares joyous Jupiter in your 5th House of Indulgence.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
At one point on Day 5 of this flight, late this Sunday, the spacecraft will officially cross the threshold of the lunar sphere of influence — the point in space where the tug of the moon’s gravity is stronger than Earth’s gravity.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chelsea were a few seconds from going out of the quarter-finals (losing 3-2 on aggregate) when Arsenal full-back Katie McCabe halted a run by Chelsea’s USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson by grabbing Thompson’s ponytail and yanking it, as shown above.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Severino allowed back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth and was yanked for reliever Elvis Alvarado.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The boom could be loud enough to shake windows in some areas.—
Jayne Yutig,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The group composes its own sacred music, lilting songs that prompt women in green-and-white wraparounds to vigorously shake their bodies.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Milton residents are voicing safety concerns in the Blue Hills Reservation after Massachusetts State Police say a man stabbed a dog that allegedly attacked him.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Residents in Charlotte and unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg County are required to purchase a license for dogs and cats over 4 months old.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The nylon-spandex fabric allows for some stretch while being lightweight enough for Florida spring, and the pull-on waistband is convenient and has some give.—
Kayla Becker,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
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But for many of the women who were under Bateman’s pull, the prophet’s arrest did not end their relationship.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile the Caliente Range — those mountains just to the west — are lurching the opposite way.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t gag, don’t cry — and my stomach lurched.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just toss the frozen veg with the hot pasta at the end to warm through.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
On a night where Clay Holmes was dominant, tossing seven scoreless innings with four strikeouts, Roupp exceeded his minuscule margin of error.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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