1
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
his constant rudeness and insensitivity made everyone think he was a real jerk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tugs
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in yanks
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 twitches
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 shakes
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the car jerked with every shift of the gear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jerks
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Smarmy jerks can get obscenely wealthy in this country just by managing other people’s money.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Moreover, where most clients are great, some are jerks.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The herks and jerks, the highs and lows, the lack of consistency that has summed up so much of McCarthy’s season reared their oft-ugly heads.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Instead, the Engel-Jackson family is more run-of-the-mill awful — a recognizable pack of self-serving jerks more focused on the appearance of cheer than any real kindness.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2025
That rich people sure can be easily manipulable jerks?
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Gave the two jerks her very best.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The boy jerks his head as if to wake himself, turns around abruptly and looks the other way, even though there’s nothing special to see besides darkness and emptiness, which is where a living eye should never look.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Paul goes to shake her hand but jerks it back, then gives her a left-handed handshake.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Smarmy jerks can get obscenely wealthy in this country just by managing other people’s money.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Moreover, where most clients are great, some are jerks.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The herks and jerks, the highs and lows, the lack of consistency that has summed up so much of McCarthy’s season reared their oft-ugly heads.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Instead, the Engel-Jackson family is more run-of-the-mill awful — a recognizable pack of self-serving jerks more focused on the appearance of cheer than any real kindness.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2025
That rich people sure can be easily manipulable jerks?
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Gave the two jerks her very best.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The boy jerks his head as if to wake himself, turns around abruptly and looks the other way, even though there’s nothing special to see besides darkness and emptiness, which is where a living eye should never look.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Paul goes to shake her hand but jerks it back, then gives her a left-handed handshake.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerks
Noun
-
Scheduling tugs, fuel barges, crane operators, drayage trucks and drivers is complex indeed.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The ship is moved in, slowly and carefully; tugs help, and so does the shipyard crew.—
Carl Nolte,
San Francisco Chronicle,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to the footage, Falcinelli then moves toward the officer before the officer yanks him by the arm.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Judy yanks Mikey’s roller trunk out of the mud and leads him toward one of the nearby hiking trails.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Some devices, for example, track eye movements or other small muscle twitches to let users select words from a screen.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
From Monday to Friday, the reception area will serve as a nutrition center for athletes, offering smoothies, protein shakes, granola and anything else an athlete could need.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The company, founded in 1980, is best known for its meal replacements, protein shakes, nutritional teas and vitamins.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
How did clowns become a protest symbol?—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Emotional rug-pulls arrive in the form of happy surprises that stretch the third act too long and test the limits of our disbelief.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Emotional rug-pulls arrive in the form of happy surprises that stretch the third act too long and test the limits of our disbelief.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
-
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerks. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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