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
Turkey jerky has one of the highest protein contents of jerky products, packing 26 grams of protein per 2-ounce serving.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 Nov. 2025
The actors moved in jerky spasms, replicating a quirk that film lovers would catch: after 1928, with the introduction of the talkies, silent films were almost always projected at the wrong speed.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Once sharks are processed into fillets or jerky, visual identification is nearly impossible, leaving loopholes in trade restrictions.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Customers will be able to find thousands of snack, meal and drink options, including homemade fudge, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries, when the location opens.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 Nov. 2025
The actors moved in jerky spasms, replicating a quirk that film lovers would catch: after 1928, with the introduction of the talkies, silent films were almost always projected at the wrong speed.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Once sharks are processed into fillets or jerky, visual identification is nearly impossible, leaving loopholes in trade restrictions.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Customers will be able to find thousands of snack, meal and drink options, including homemade fudge, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries, when the location opens.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerky
Adjective
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If that means getting rougher and going outside of the rules and expectations for appropriate use of force, that’s all fine.—
Bob Ortega,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Dolphins went 7-10 and missed the playoffs last season, benching Tagovailoa in favor of Quinn Ewers for the final three games, ending a rough season for the former Alabama star.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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End these stupid, senseless wars.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
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Most of the films that came after are ridiculous and stupid.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The National Park Service sees planting as insurance against the uneven distribution and high mortality of the naturally sprouting trees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Davis’ successor, Steve Alford, failed to replicate the success of Davis’ goodbye season during his uneven eight-year run in Iowa City.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gore said half in surprise and half in jest after lasting just 1⅔ innings in a 15-9 win over Kansas City, which wasn’t even the silliest game in the West Valley on a gusty Thursday.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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The fever dream of a sequel that’s also a prequel takes everything good about the first movie and turns it up to 100, happily ignoring any dose of realism in favor of silly, colorful, karaoke-ready fun.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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However, after a significant drawdown at the end of January, the commodities haven’t recovered and have been choppy trades.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
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Lancaster looks choppy offensively, but is trimming the clock and hasn't let up on defense.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of simply challenging the more foolish of those woke policies, our federal and state governments seem hell bent on obliterating any activity that even hints of DEI.—
Maurice O'Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
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This kind of talk is also politically foolish and risks alienating the many Americans who already distrust this war.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Stewie’s miserable, the other kids are miserable, and even the turtle is miserable… until Stewie begins rolling out his trusty array of devices to take them anywhere in space and time, turning every boring day at school into an insane and surreal adventure.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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But Sean Penn was so out there and insane.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Voorhees is mad about all of that, but made a point of clarification.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Prince William and Kate Middleton were extremely mad at the press in 2012 over a topless photo scandal.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerky. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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