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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of jerk
Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Then, of course, there were the jerking motions and the cognitive decline.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
Based on my experience, labeling someone a contrarian is just an extremely polite way of calling out a person for being a jerk who’s obsessed with the sound of their own voice.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
Patrick Walle’s horn solo up top sounded suspended in time, before an increasingly feral orchestra jerked us back to street level.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Then, of course, there were the jerking motions and the cognitive decline.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
Their ordeal tugs at every family that ever dropped a kiddo off with bug spray, stamped envelopes and hope.—
Bill Weir,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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The tug of war over deportations reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, where enforcement is increasingly intersecting with international diplomacy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Rivera fired his Taser at Feliz, then got into the car on the passenger’s side and threatened to shoot Rivera as a physical struggle ensued, according to body camera footage, as another officer attempted to yank Feliz out of the vehicle.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
-
Squirrels love to yank new plants out of the ground.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Buzzing, tingling, burning, twitching, itching or pain, along with a sensation of arousal.—
Linda Carroll,
NBC news,
6 July 2025
-
The fearful pup stepped out to greet her, his tail twitching—his first show of trust in a long time.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The couple was seen taking a stroll on a N.Y.C. street with Bosworth's dog, Happy, on Tuesday.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
Peoplemag,
13 Sep. 2023
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This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
On these days, the moon will be at its furthest from the Earth's equator, changing its gravitational pull and causing our planet to spin just a tiny bit faster on its axis, according to science news website LiveScience.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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Earth's natural satellite exerts a powerful gravitational pull that generally slows our rotation over long timescales.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Verb
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With the stunning reemergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialists in the New York City mayor’s election, the Democratic Party is lurching even further to the left, leaving them even more alienated and out of touch.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
26 June 2025
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The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Up to 75 mph winds ripped down power lines, tossed trees onto roads and railroad tracks and forced businesses to close for the day.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Cleaning this quilt is a breeze—just toss it in the washing machine and tumble dry for a refresh.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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