JERK Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

jerk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjərk

Definition of jerk

as in bastard

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

as in tug

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

jerk

2 of 2

verb

as in to yank

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

as in to twitch

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

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the car jerked with every shift of the gear

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 jerk

Noun

The Ars OpenForum is a place for readers to ask questions, compare notes, argue (without being jerks to each other), and go down all sorts of rabbit holes. — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 The latter accidentally does happen, which leads to power struggles between the bigoted jerk and our trio of heroines. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Henry drove off and sped up to 45 mph before jerking the car. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Our step-by-step guide shows you how to make quick work of dicing the tear-jerking bulb. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk

Noun

Sheriff’s cadaver dogs, deputies with shovels and a backhoe were seen at work.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Lead and cadmium exposure has been linked to canine cancer, a leading cause of death in dogs.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of dog

Noun

The knitting process is portable and easy, but the structure also means a tug on one loose end can quickly unravel the whole project.

— Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Barr allegedly stole an Alaska Airlines tug from the field, crashed it into another vehicle near Gate 7, and then attempted to steal an American Airlines lavatory truck, but was taken into custody by airport police.

— Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tug

Verb

Zabransky was the first person to reach Rabb in the end zone, yanking him into the air for a bear hug.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026
There’s also an ending that revels in a form of catharsis — for the audience watching the play, not the movie — before yanking that, too, away.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of yank

Verb

During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
When a sensor detected the left or right forelimb moving, the hub sent a limb-specific pulse through the body that reached an implant on the corresponding hind leg, which stimulated the sciatic nerve and made that leg twitch.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of twitch

Verb

The event, televised by dozens of channels across Serbia, capped a week of Vucic touring towns and villages in an apparent bid to shore up his popularity that's been shaken after almost two years of sustained anti-government protests.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Bottle tops popped, can tabs cracked, and cocktail shakers shook all day Thursday at the Aftershock music festival at Sacramento’s Discovery Park.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of shake

Noun

The brand featured a thematic clown mascot and the beloved product was sold in famously reusable glassware.

— Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
What followed were Zoom-inclusive mediation meetings, the revelation of tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and something about clown school.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

Eco effort This feels front of mind, from the pull-chain shower to reusable metal water bottles offered at check-in.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
With a manuscript also acting as a central character, the challenge was turning the pull of Verity’s words into something visual.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026