1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
1
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
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of jerk
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
What a jerk! Neagley fares better, dispatching two button men sent to kill her in her Windy City high-rise office.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Quispe López, Them, 12 Mar. 2025
Avoid jerking the valve or forcing it to turn, as this could cause the valve to break off.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Noun
But dangerous jerks like Bobby Kennedy have made lucrative businesses of sowing doubt.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
What a jerk! Neagley fares better, dispatching two button men sent to kill her in her Windy City high-rise office.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
While there are a slew of ways to pleasure yourself depending on these three factors, there are some basic tips that can be a helpful starting point, like how to finger yourself and how to jerk off.
—Quispe López, Them, 12 Mar. 2025
Avoid jerking the valve or forcing it to turn, as this could cause the valve to break off.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk
Noun
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Duke of Cornwall) watched a team building exercise — tug of war! — and met with young farmers making up the next generation.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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There’s a kind of implicit prayer in this that the withering of today’s Hollywood system is a presage for something better, giving the entire production a painful, nostalgic quality that tugs at your chest even as what unfolds before you is remarkably dumb.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Kelly, the lifeguard, jumped off her perch and yanked Harel back, toward the lockers, by the hair.—
Adam Levin,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2025
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And when he’s actually pulled away and thrown into the back of a cab, Kilmer’s exit is as unceremonious as a cable yanked out from an amp, leaving viewers drifting along the film’s woozy currents.—
Beatrice Loayza,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If their tail starts twitching or their ears are flattened, then they may be overstimulated, which can lead to aggression.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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Real Estate As Ballast Against Market Turbulence Why does Manhattan real estate hold up while other assets twitch?—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, Turkey experienced one of the world's most deadly quakes, a 7.8 magnitude event that shook southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 55,000 people.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average.—
Jim Gaines,
ajc,
13 Sep. 2023
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This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
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For every pushing movement, such as push-ups or overhead presses, include a pulling movement such as rows or band pull-aparts.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
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Plus, Hunter swapped the antiquated pull chain for a sleek remote control.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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My stomach dropped as my seat lurched backwards, pointing me towards the shoreline.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pair them with your favorite bra top at the gym, and then toss on a slouchy tee or sweater after hours.—
Korin Miller,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
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Pally was courtside for the game and subsequent medal ceremony when cameras caught Curry tossing up a Mr. Throwback reference — chubby cheeks — from the podium.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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