as in to play (on or upon)
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 around
The shocking news out of this summer’s Olympic break-dancing competition in Paris wasn’t that a female Australian competitor had hopped and jerked around like Uma Thurman being revived from a drug coma in Pulp Fiction.
—
Christian Schneider, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons Category: Starter to star After a year where the former lottery pick was jerked around in regard to minutes, role, and even on-court responsibilities, Ivey is now set to enter his third year, finally with some stability attached to his name.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The camera jerks around to emphasize the Captain’s growing panic.
—Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024
For a population like Gaza’s, there’s not enough food, people have been jerked around from place to place.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024
The guy in the center seat where the stringer was tied off noticed it was being jerked around.
—Idaho Statesman, 2 Mar. 2016
The design stopped us from being jerked around when dogs were pulling, and the padded handle was comfortable to grip, as well.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
One senses that these men are accustomed to being jerked around by the state.
—Alejandro Chacoff, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
Christian Schneider, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons Category: Starter to star After a year where the former lottery pick was jerked around in regard to minutes, role, and even on-court responsibilities, Ivey is now set to enter his third year, finally with some stability attached to his name.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The camera jerks around to emphasize the Captain’s growing panic.
—Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024
For a population like Gaza’s, there’s not enough food, people have been jerked around from place to place.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024
The guy in the center seat where the stringer was tied off noticed it was being jerked around.
—Idaho Statesman, 2 Mar. 2016
The design stopped us from being jerked around when dogs were pulling, and the padded handle was comfortable to grip, as well.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024
One senses that these men are accustomed to being jerked around by the state.
—Alejandro Chacoff, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk around
Verb
-
Einstein need to learn how to manipulate concrete Just after the announcement that a new jail was coming, Einstein began plotting, according to FBI records.—
Keith Sharon,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The president’s special commission now has an unprecedented ability to view and manipulate information at many federal agencies.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Having left Pakistan for grad school in the US in 2008, food writer, Maryam Jillani, used cooking and experimenting in the kitchen as a conduit for staying close to her roots.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Loading your audio article New Yorkers may soon have a much better understanding of how the NYPD uses technology to conduct surveillance, track cell phones and maintain its facial recognition database.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Vana also accused Shipps of pimping her out to a colleague across state lines.—
Sara Coello,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2025
-
During the trial, charges of pimping a minor older than 17, human trafficking, pimping and pandering were dismissed along with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a gun.—
City News Service,
Orange County Register,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
By leveraging existing devices, Bless reduces the need for energy-intensive data centers, aligning with green technology trends.—
Tyler Shepherd,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
By leveraging the internal team’s deep understanding, content creation is more streamlined and cost-effective than a sole reliance on external partners.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Having two more women from the production allegedly claim they were likewise mistreated by the director could push the saga from being perceived as a bitter feud into literal #MeToo territory.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The passengers survive a terrible storm before landing where they will be mistreated.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The suit alleged Combs raped, drugged and physically abused her, the latter claim being supported by a 2016 hotel video obtained and released by CNN last year of the music producer dragging and hitting the singer.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
While fentanyl is not widely abused in Mexico, methamphetamine addiction is commonplace.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk%20around. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share