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 desire to make fresh New York rap that isn’t indebted to drill, or chasing broader Gen-Z hip-hop trends such as jerk and rage rap, sometimes leads to experiments that don’t land anywhere. — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026 Their chicken cheesesteak comes with a choice of honey garlic chicken, lemon pepper chicken or jerk chicken. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

Verb

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises against twisting or jerking the tick. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk

Noun

The Perk That Actually Works For years, companies have competed to fill their offices with amenities meant to signal ambition—ping pong tables, nap rooms, office dogs, sprawling lounges.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Authorities are using divers, dogs, sonar and other types of technologies to scour the area for Karen Solomon, Saucier said.

— Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of dog

Verb

Participants will yank invasive plants to help restore the canyon.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
In Berkeley, where California clay culture yanked ceramics out of the category of polite craft and into something huge, physical, ugly, and beautiful, Heilmann learned to weld.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

The 5-11, 210-pounder is a sudden cutter who runs with power and twitch, attacking space like a great punt returner.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

Miami likely will hold off on signing a 15th player to a standard contract, at least for now, in order to see who shakes free in the buyout market.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
For some, fall fashion starts with color, working in warm browns and flashes of crimson red or shaking typical neutrals up with pops of cobalt blue.

— Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shake

Noun

Rather than deescalating, Gabela yelled at Corben, calling him a clown.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Yusef Toubassi sits with his grandson Masa, looking on as children run by with cheeks painted bright colors and others howling with joy as clowns spin them around.

— Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

But the pull is strong, because one aspect of the long walk has not changed since 1990—that beautiful simplicity, which remains as essential to the experience as ever.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Layden says her career change stemmed from a pull toward nursing as well as a push away from the volatility and outdated norms of the corporate world.

— Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

Maresca, though, does not appear to have much taste for the Premier League’s lurch towards balls into the box.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026