JERKY 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

Relevance

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

The Rangers had a rough stretch during the seventh when Eovaldi got pulled after allowing one run.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
His process remained rough around the edges, but Thursday was a great step in the right direction.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

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
Shockingly, the letter seems to be pushing for a return to standardized tests by, in effect, arguing that a growing percentage of their students are simply too stupid to succeed, no matter what professors do.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 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

Sevigny holds firm to Tatum’s hard-to-love jerkishness, which helps smooth over the serious arguments that can turn inadvertently silly (and amplifies the purely silly ones).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The post also included a sweet selfie with her two younger sons, with Mateo smiling widely and Ciro making a silly face for the camera.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Future iterations will feature advanced wings capable of twisting and steering, allowing the drone to navigate gusty winds and choppy coastal waves.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
The high winds and choppy water conditions made the search efforts slow and difficult, officials said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 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

England’s 2-1 victory against Mexico — and that insane Azteca Stadium crowd — also was richly deserved.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Allowing Trump to declare insane levels of tariffs would have been really bad for the economy and bad for Republicans.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 6 July 2026

Definition of insane

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