JERKILY Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

jerky

adjective

ˈjər-kē

Definition of jerky

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

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

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 jerky And when the driver knows how to accelerate, lane-change and brake smoothly, without any jerky movements or pitching—like our driver, then the transfer is that much more pleasant. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2026 Charlie, Rachel and Mike’s confessions range between youthfully jerky to downright repugnant. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 The jerky company Slim Jim has commented on many Fruit Love Island videos. — Kat Tenbarge, Wired News, 25 Mar. 2026 Mid-level roles included a deli/food service associate responsible for preparing Buc-ee's signature barbecue, baked goods, jerky, fudge and sandwiches, and a store bookkeeper managing daily accounting and cash reconciliation. — Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jerky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerky

Adjective

Today's launch aims to smooth over a few rough patches that the vehicle ran into during V3's debut on the mostly successful Flight 12, which occurred on May 22.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 July 2026
That comes after a rough day of trading as shares fell below their IPO price.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

There are plenty of videos from Yellowstone National Park involving tourists doing breathtakingly stupid things around wild animals.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026
Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Household financial resilience also remains uneven, even when many adults report doing okay or living comfortably.

— Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
The uneven workmanship of the double stitching suggests the giant flag was likely made by amateurs, curators with the historical society have determined.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of uneven

Adjective

She’s seen during a dance rehearsal, a silly social media clip, and onstage from their Lollapalooza set, the latter of which came before her announcement in February to step away from Katseye.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Starring British comedy favourites such as Kevin Eldon and Miranda Hart, Hyperdrive is a very silly show that ended up more like a workplace sitcom in space rather than the next Red Dwarf.

— William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

While Odysseus’ emotional journey here can be as choppy as a rough day at sea, and the ‘civilization is eroding’ theme is undercooked, the film’s bigger observations on the effects of war on those who are forced to participate in it are well met.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Classical studies majors will surely be aghast at how the likes of Zeus and Poseidon are sublimated into social mores and choppy waves (just as Zendaya fans might rage at how her disapproving Athena only cameos as Odysseus’ invisible friend).

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

Definition of choppy

Adjective

Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
As is, this is a foolish thriller that prompts the occasional snicker but not much more.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

Over the last few years, there are these sounds that have appeared in certain towns that have driven people mad, that’s actually happening.

— Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The scene played out across the soccer-mad nation as Egypt faced the defending World Cup champion in the round-of-16 fixture in Atlanta.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026