JERK Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

jerk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjərk

Definition of jerk

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jerk

2 of 2

verb

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

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as in to twitch

to make jerky or restless movements you've got to quit jerking, or the barber will nick you by accident

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the car jerked with every shift of the gear

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of jerk

Noun

Led and inspired by Chef Wayne Sharpe, this fast Jamaican restaurant serves iconic island meals like jerk chicken, jerk shrimp, vegan jerk, pineapple plantains, rice and peas, and Jamaican patties. — Alexandra Phelps july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice. — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026

Verb

Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026 Suddenly, the tent jerked and wobbled. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk

Noun

Both Shapiro and Graziano kept their original Instagram handles and changed the names to add their current dogs.

— Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Seeing your pup happily playing in the backyard or snoozing on the couch can provide reassurance for you without creating confusion for your dog.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of dog

Verb

But with the Supreme Court sanctioning a White House immigration crackdown, Nelson’s permission to stay in the country appears likely to be yanked within days, leaving French worried.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Karol then appeared to try deescalating the abrupt encounter, but she was yanked by the fan again before security escorted him from the stage.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

The heat now poses an additional danger to residents still shaken by the quake, many of whom are sleeping in their cars after their homes were damaged or destroyed.

— Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Chad Gable and Penta shook hands as Gable’s family watched from ringside.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of shake

Noun

One morning during my stay, there were even clowns buzzing about—a thrill to receive a balloon poodle alongside my morning flat white.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
This take on the mad clown of Gotham is less Jack Nicholson and George Romero, choosing a more stoic approach inspired by Conrad Veidt silent films and German expressionism.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

As someone who fed on emotion and belonging throughout his career, Keegan had always felt the pull of Newcastle United, the club of his father.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Russia sliding deeper into China’s gravitational pull may be the most consequential long-term outcome of the entire war.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

For example, New York endured weather whiplash on July 18 as the city lurched from a heat wave and smoke pollution from Canadian wildfires to flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped a few inches of rain in a short period of time.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Investors have followed Burnham's path to 10 Downing Street with some consternation, amid fears of a leftward lurch by Labour and a more fiscally loose approach to public spending.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 July 2026