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
Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Vendors sold spicy dishes traditional to their countries like Jamaican jerk chicken and tacos from Mexico and the not-so-spicy, like raclette, a dish traditional to Switzerland, where molten cheese from a wheel of raclette cheese is poured over potatoes and other foods.
—Dominick Williams
august 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Perry appears to jerk uncontrollably while being lifted into the sky in footage posted after her Raleigh, North Carolina, performance on August 17.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
In the meantime, the seafood-heavy menu at The Shelborne with dishes like red prawn ceviche or roasted grouper is a great option for dinner, while poolside dining offers more casual but delicious fare like conch fritters or a jerk smash burger.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Vendors sold spicy dishes traditional to their countries like Jamaican jerk chicken and tacos from Mexico and the not-so-spicy, like raclette, a dish traditional to Switzerland, where molten cheese from a wheel of raclette cheese is poured over potatoes and other foods.
—Dominick Williams
august 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
Tear-jerking purple prose designed to make a Baby Boomer nostalgic and sad.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Perry appears to jerk uncontrollably while being lifted into the sky in footage posted after her Raleigh, North Carolina, performance on August 17.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
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The tug-and-pull over GOP members’ demands for more documents and testimony comes as lawmakers juggle the appropriations process and face an end-of-month deadline to fund the government.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
3 Sep. 2025
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When the state attorney’s office steps in, the prosecution pushes back, resulting in a legal and political tug of war that thrusts Adnan’s case into chaotic uncertainty.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Until George Springer yanked a 450-foot fly to the left-field bleachers, the lineup was ostensibly silent.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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The same words apply to the title character at the film‘s center, the inscrutable and seemingly unscrupulous Hedda Gabler (a magnetic Tessa Thompson), here yanked firmly from the late 20th century setting of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play into the ’50s, and not missing a single trick along the way.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My hand twitched toward the phone, muscle memory stronger than willpower.—
Maggie Downs,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
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Jones’ raw traits have always been jaw-dropping — a 6-foot-6 defensive end who can combine an edge rusher’s twitch with an interior lineman’s power.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kam Shanks could not shake Ole Miss' punt coverage team and Arkansas will start its first drive of the second half from the 9.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Robotic dogs and militant imagery stand in for violence and human invention turned destructive.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In Toledo, a misread contributed to a Black man being mauled by a police K-9 dog after a traffic stop.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Band Pull-Aparts Band pull-aparts are a safe and effective way to target the rear delts using a resistance band.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
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Somehow both spare and ornate, immersive and voyeuristic, The Silver Book has a pull that can’t be denied.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To make for a more energy efficient and less nerve-racking exodus experience, once the line grows large enough, pulsing begins, wherein vehicles move in packs rather than lurch along at 5 mph.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
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The title track opens the affair by lurching and creeping forward for ten minutes with odd, off-putting lyrics.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One night earlier, Cecconi tossed eight scoreless innings and carried a no-hitter through seven.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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Move the ingredients to the hole and toss to cover them with the sauce.—
Linda Gassenheimer,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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