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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of jerk
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Inspired by the history of jerk cooking and diaspora flavors, the restaurant will lean into storytelling, fine-dining technique and bold spice, marking the chef’s first West Coast project.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
But then her limbs started jerking.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
Highlights include crab cakes, Napoleon, jerk chicken and waffles, lobster rolls, Florida Croque Madame, oxtail pasta, coquito French toast, tiramisu and more.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Inspired by the history of jerk cooking and diaspora flavors, the restaurant will lean into storytelling, fine-dining technique and bold spice, marking the chef’s first West Coast project.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
But then her limbs started jerking.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
-
The oldest served in Alaska on the USCGC Alex Haley in the Bering Sea and is pursuing a career as a tug boat operator in Galveston.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In space, the gravitational tugs from passing planets act like those currents.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Burrows fell behind 3-0 to ninth hitter Victor Scott II, clawed back to 3-2, but yanked a fastball well inside.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Maden takes thee wine bottle from him and the officers reach for his wrists but Brown resists and yanks his arms back, the video shows.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The situation is also an opportunity for NASA to resume the kind of risk-taking that has been lacking to shake the agency out of a post-space-shuttle lethargy and to reignite passions for reaching a stretch goal under deadline pressure.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The front car of the train appeared to jump the track, leaving passengers shaken.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pasco’s wife was allegedly attacked by dogs belonging to the victim, identified in the affidavit as 36-year-old Shawn Cyriacks.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Another photo captures the soon-to-be bride and groom crouching down on the sand with their two pet dogs.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The large question now is whether a more corporate style of management at Movistar Plus+ in Spain will entail a pull back in film and TV investment, especially in top-flight artistically ambitious film/TV directors who have taken Movistar Plus+ onto the international stage.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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They are drawn in by the possibility of an exciting pull—similar to how a bettor might be enticed by a long-shot parlay translating to big winnings.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Javier Assad bounced back after allowing nine runs on 11 hits against the Phillies in his previous outing last Monday by tossing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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The way the Met has chosen to deal with this is to toss the Vatican frescoes onto all four walls of a side room via projector.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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