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
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Lunch is packed with all sorts of sandwiches (BLT, french dip, Reuben) and hamburgers (patty melt, Jamaican jerk, jalapeno burger) to salads, tacos and more.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
The sequel sees Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell attempt to take a family vacation, only to cross paths with violent jerks played by Colin Hanks and Sharon Stone.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Lunch is packed with all sorts of sandwiches (BLT, french dip, Reuben) and hamburgers (patty melt, Jamaican jerk, jalapeno burger) to salads, tacos and more.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
The submarine was accompanied by a tug boat, the Royal Navy said.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
With the script and director seemingly playing a game of tug of war, individual scenes shine without producing a larger, satisfying narrative arc.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The batarangs could hit long-range targets, while the bat-claw brought far-away enemies to Batman and could yank obstacles off walls.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has taken the next logical step in making a Black Hawk helicopter autonomous by not only installing the gear needed for self-flying, but by yanking out the entire cockpit and replacing it with cargo doors.—
David Szondy
October 13,
New Atlas,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With the final seconds ticking away and the Chiefs’ 30-17 triumph over the Detroit Lions sealed, KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes was looking to shake the hand of Lions safety Brian Branch.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Because the building was shaking.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Fey also mocked Noem's infamous story about shooting a family dog.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Lake Worth police have remined public to not approach the dog involved, according to the social media post.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Held at La Valle Coastal Club in Rancho Santa Fe, the festive event featured a steel drum band, tropical bites, silent auction, opportunity drawings, a wine pull, and stories from clients whose lives have been transformed by Pathways’ legal support, according to a news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
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Decker knows that Minnesota does not have the same pull as the school's longtime Big Ten rivals like Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State — or even the new ones like Oregon, Washington and USC.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
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On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Randy Johnson tossed the ceremonial first pitch on Wednesday.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Justice Department has also argued to the justices for the current Gingles framework be tossed.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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