as in to play (on or upon)
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Recent Examples of jerk around
The shocking news out of this summer’s Olympic break-dancing competition in Paris wasn’t that a female Australian competitor had hopped and jerked around like Uma Thurman being revived from a drug coma in Pulp Fiction.
—
Christian Schneider, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons Category: Starter to star After a year where the former lottery pick was jerked around in regard to minutes, role, and even on-court responsibilities, Ivey is now set to enter his third year, finally with some stability attached to his name.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The camera jerks around to emphasize the Captain’s growing panic.
—Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024
For a population like Gaza’s, there’s not enough food, people have been jerked around from place to place.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024
The guy in the center seat where the stringer was tied off noticed it was being jerked around.
—Idaho Statesman, 2 Mar. 2016
The design stopped us from being jerked around when dogs were pulling, and the padded handle was comfortable to grip, as well.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
One senses that these men are accustomed to being jerked around by the state.
—Alejandro Chacoff, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
Christian Schneider, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons Category: Starter to star After a year where the former lottery pick was jerked around in regard to minutes, role, and even on-court responsibilities, Ivey is now set to enter his third year, finally with some stability attached to his name.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The camera jerks around to emphasize the Captain’s growing panic.
—Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024
For a population like Gaza’s, there’s not enough food, people have been jerked around from place to place.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024
The guy in the center seat where the stringer was tied off noticed it was being jerked around.
—Idaho Statesman, 2 Mar. 2016
The design stopped us from being jerked around when dogs were pulling, and the padded handle was comfortable to grip, as well.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
One senses that these men are accustomed to being jerked around by the state.
—Alejandro Chacoff, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk around
Verb
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The book’s vivid digital art, collaged from her own photographs and manipulated in Photoshop, helped children connect with science and nature in new ways.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Jewish Voice for Peace is an extremist group that manipulates the Jewish identity of some of its members to support terror, disrupt public life, and undermine the very essence of Jewish faith, identity and tradition.—
Chai Posner,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mangione handed arriving officers a fake New Jersey ID that was used at the New York City hostel days earlier and was subsequently arrested.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $67 (+taxes and fees) through May 13, 2025.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At the Willow Street property, officers arrested Bili Ruan, 50, of San Jose, on suspicion of pimping, Garibay said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Another one let her cocaine-dealing thug son use her car before the kid went to federal prison for pimping.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging advanced tools like generative AI to con unsuspecting victims.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
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Television Academy Honors recognizes programs and their producers who have leveraged the power of television to advance social change.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Like in Good American Family, Michael said he was manipulated and mistreated by Kristine.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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After clashing with his first commissioner, Mark G. Peters, Mr. de Blasio fired him, citing a report by an independent investigator that said Mr. Peters had abused his power and mistreated subordinates.—
Jan Ransom,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After the show premiered, actress Amber Dixon Brenner alleged in a lawsuit that Akil’s husband, Salim, had abused her over the course of their previously unknown, decade-long extramarital affair.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
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In an August 2020 filing, Sura, said Abrego Garcia had kicked and slapped her, as well as verbally abused her.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk%20around. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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