1
as in rough
marked by a series of sharp quick motions
made jerky progress walking with the new crutches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
he's acting jerky just to get people's attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jerky
Jack Links Sour Cream and Onion Jerky, Hot Dill Pickle Beef Sticks
Coming January to most major grocery stores
Next year, jerky titan Jack Links is set to unveil a handful of new meat snacks including sour cream and onion jerky and spicy dill pickle beef sticks.
—
Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 16 May 2025
Mine-Cart Madness really is that jerky, definitely look out for your back and neck.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 22 May 2025
No word yet on the number of types of jerky, flavors of kolaches, or length of the barbecue counter.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
The animations during battle are not entirely fluid but slightly violent and jerky; this seems like an aesthetic choice to bring out the chaos and violence, not a tech limitation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 16 May 2025
Mine-Cart Madness really is that jerky, definitely look out for your back and neck.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 22 May 2025
No word yet on the number of types of jerky, flavors of kolaches, or length of the barbecue counter.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
The animations during battle are not entirely fluid but slightly violent and jerky; this seems like an aesthetic choice to bring out the chaos and violence, not a tech limitation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerky
Adjective
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The Jayhawks’ offense should play a pivotal role in ensuring KU comes out on top. Prediction: Kansas (3-1) Game 5: KU vs. Cincinnati Cincinnati looks to get back on track after a rough first two seasons in the Big 12.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Aug. 2025
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My mother, just beneath her skin, housed a palpable rage, and my father’s cheeks were pocked and rough from ingrown hairs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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No Broward program can possibly be as wasteful and downright stupid as the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Aug. 2025
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This sounds very stupid, but there’s an idea in my mind.—
David Mack,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Back in April, Ulta had already slowed its rollout within Target, citing uneven returns and operational friction in certain locations.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Similar to the first film, families will enjoy silly slapstick mixed with great chemistry between Lohan and Curtis, who are just as good together.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
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In one silly snap, Cannon could be seen wearing a red sweatsuit and posing with four of his kids.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And spoiler alert: Paddling back is no joke in choppy waters.—
Zekeriya Polat,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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One foggy morning this spring, a ferryboat traversed the choppy waters between lower Manhattan and Governors Island.—
Adam Iscoe,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This new adventure will take players to the heart of Italy where ancient legends and sinister cults promise danger to anyone brave or foolish enough to dig deeper.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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With the season on the line as the Bronx Bombers now sit in third place in the American League East division, Aaron Boone would be foolish to not pull Williams from the closer role for the second time this season and hand it over to David Bednar.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Though it's deemed an accident in the play by Queen Gertrude, Ophelia was considered mad and the possibility of suicide was not ruled out.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Instead, this is an ice hockey-style slide-and-bump affair; hitting an opponent from the side simply gives an annoying temporary jolt (which also disrupts their shooting motion) while hitting an opponent head-on forces a loose ball turnover and a mad scramble for the ball.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerky. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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