Synonyms of jerk

jerk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjərk 

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

• bastard
• dog
• clown
• joker
• skunk
• creep
• idiot
• rat
• snake
• moron
• beast
• brute
• brat
• villain
• heel
• fool
• swine
• scumbag
• boor
• schmuck
• louse
• toad
• cad
• bugger
• so-and-so
• scum
• nuisance
• bounder
• stinker
• lout
• rotter
• reptile
• pill
• buzzard
• cur
• slob
• dirtbag
• bleeder
• varmint
• hound
• vermin
• slimeball
• cretin
• blighter
• sleazebag
• sleazeball
• son of a gun
• barbarian
• chuff
• sod
• slime
• nerd
• churl
• crud
• fink
• scuzzball
• sleaze
• crumb
• savage
• stinkard
• loudmouth
• rat fink
• wretch
• scoundrel
• rogue
• caveman
• jackass
• scab
• dolt
• lowlife
• vulgarian
• rascal
• imbecile
• roughneck
• scamp
• blockhead
• miscreant
• Neanderthal
• doofus
• snob
• turkey
• dork
• booby
• ninny
• dope
• airhead
• goon
• nut
• pest
• insolent
• snot
• nincompoop
• dweeb
• schmo
• dink
• nitwit
• snip
• nit
• half-wit
• snoot
• birdbrain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hero
• gentleman
• lady
• heroine
• idol
• role model
• saint
• angel

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tug
• pull
• yank
• wrench
• haul
• draw
• pluck
• grab
• tow
• drag
• hitch
• twitch
• snatch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• push
• thrust
• shove
• heave

jerk

2 of 2

verb

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

• yank
• twitch
• pull
• lurch
• tug
• shake
• grab
• buck
• hitch
• jolt
• bump
• tear
• drag
• hoick
• snatch
• rip
• jog
• jiggle
• jig
• stagger
• pluck
• jounce
• lug
• joggle
• wrench
• snap (up)
• tweak
• pitch
• wring
• wrest

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

• twitch
• toss
• fidget
• squirm
• twist
• fiddle
• wiggle
• shake
• tremble
• shiver
• writhe
• jiggle
• jig
• wriggle
• thrash
• shudder
• flutter
• thresh
• squiggle
• quiver
• flit
• quake
• pace
• twitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• relax
• calm (down)
• unwind
• still

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

• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• quiver
• tremble
• shiver
• twitch
• sway
• wobble
• bucket
• jiggle
• jolt
• swing
• agitate
• convulse
• quake
• jounce
• rock
• joggle
• throb
• judder
• flicker
• wave
• flutter
• chatter
• thrill
• pulse
• fluctuate
• oscillate
• quaver
• undulate
• waver
• palpitate
• pulsate
• dodder
• beat
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jerk

Noun

The passengers include the requisite obnoxious jerk, Dan (Angus Sampson), already throwing his weight around and breaking no-smoking rules at LAX. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026

There’s an almost-friendship-ending rift over husbands (Brent Thiessen is Cee Cee’s, a cool-guy theater director; Ben Jacoby is Bertie’s, a rich jerk) that feels deeply dated and, in the context of the women’s tell-each-other-everything friendship, just plain weird. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

My empty paper bowl jerked along the belt, stopping under each funnel. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 May 2026

Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping. —Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026