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

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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

Tampa Bay capitalized on a rough outing by Jesús Sánchez, who struggled to track two fly balls against the Tropicana Field roof.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
His platform season has been so rough that a lot of his closest comps in WAR are guys coming off serious injuries.

— Tim Britton, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.

— Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Engineers maintained extremely gentle gradients across long distances while using tunnels, channels, and arched bridges to cross uneven terrain.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Both players have been uneven throughout training camp, but Klubnik is the frontrunner to win the job and was the better player against the Buccaneers.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneven

Adjective

The Astros’ rotation is in such a state that ruling anyone out as a candidate to start games seems silly, but their actions indicate Imai is something of a last resort.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
So, even though Jay spent the song drawing a line between his own sophistication and the rest of the rap world’s childish behavior, 13 years later, kids are turning his luxury flex into a silly dance.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Amazon is in choppy waters after accidentally leaking Jason Statham‘s latest big-budget action pic Mutiny on its Prime Video service days before the movie is released in theaters.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Schwab investors continued to buy in July despite a choppy market backdrop, lifting the Schwab Trading Activity Index, known as STAX, for a third straight month and bringing it to its highest level since January 2022.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of choppy

Adjective

That’s economically foolish and potentially devastating for patients.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

Riley has a talented veteran QB (Jayden Maiava), a strong O-line and now mad scientist Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
It was worshipped as a goddess, believed to drive people mad, and even considered a realm for the dead.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026