1
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
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
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
Initial laps induced jerky handling and lots of body roll.
—
Joel Feder, The Drive, 2 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
Joel Feder, The Drive, 2 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
-
After a couple of rough shooting nights against Minnesota and Las Vegas, the Valkyries found their groove.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
-
Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
-
White can believe Hokit said something stupid and still believe fighters should be allowed to speak for themselves.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Adjective
-
Stowers getting regular first base work Stowers is beginning to produce after his season got off to an uneven start following to a pair of hamstring injuries in spring training.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
The president says market gains helped guide his push to reach a deal with Iran, even as critics warn that stocks are an uneven measure of national interest.—
Cat Zakrzewski,
Washington Post,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
When it’s done well, the audience doesn’t realize that’s what’s happening; this story is super-silly and the characters actually just got a little bit closer.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
-
The whole thing was undeniably silly.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The choppy trading comes as investors look ahead to key events for the macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
So the editing here gets much, much choppier.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
It’s presented without winks or nudges, neither as a joke nor necessarily foolish.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
If the target was foolish enough to reuse passwords, credential thefts like these could enable the compromise of more important accounts.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
That’s an insane thing to believe.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
And ultimately, the premise of the show is insane horror tropes are happening to boring, normal people.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Initially skeptical, Tom becomes increasingly paranoid after a sailor who got lost in the fog essentially goes mad, with his eyes turning white just before dying.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
21 June 2026
-
Relative bargain Please do not be mad at me for relaying this insurance math.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerky. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
