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
Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
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
Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 20 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
Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Travis jerked open the door and slid on his butt down a wing that was on fire.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 20 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
-
Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Dogs’ favorite bonding activities include playing fetch, tug, or Frisbee.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just as the video began, a man identified as Justin Calhoon, 19, lunged across the table, yanked it toward him and flipped it on its side while Turning Point materials spilled onto the pavement.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Ciattarelli promises to lower energy costs immediately by yanking the state out of a regional greenhouse gas initiative, as well as any other environmental policy that voters are sick of.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His eyes twitched in rapid blinks, his lips disappeared as if cold fury were coursing through his body.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Light shaking was detected, and people in several cities - including Hercules, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Fremont - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Trim the dead parts, shake the soil off, and store them in a cool, dark location where they are protected from the cold.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Choose a crate that is a comfortable size for your dog.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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The stretchy fabric allows for a full range of motion and remains in place through every downward dog and tree pose.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But there is of course the push/pull of bringing thousands of people (many of whom are looking to party for a week) to such a ecologically delicate area, an issue many festivals that happen in special places in nature must grapple with.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
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Asked to account for the magnetic pull between fashion and sports today, Passi de Preposulo noted that Ellison tuned into the heritage and nostalgia trends, while also spying a huge gap in the market since sailing’s biggest event, the America’s Cup, happens only once every four years.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This can result in a kind of emotional whiplash, with the tone of the videos lurching between joy and devastation.—
Lindsay Lowe,
Parents,
8 Nov. 2025
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Perry’s films can lurch from romance to madcap Madea comedy to skeletons-in-the-closet family drama and back…all in the space of 20 minutes.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
A week later, a skeptical Supreme Court might toss them out entirely.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Taste traditionally prepared dishes at the pioneer picnic, join in frontier festivities, toss tomahawks and enjoy family-friendly games.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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