to jerk

Examples

• All

• Finally, with a three-word sentence, the still silence is broken, and the scene jerks into life.

  Academic text (2011)

• "Does this happen often?" Djuro asked, jerking his thumb back over his shoulder at the swelling clouds.

  Fiction book (1990)

• If I just kind of jerk it, that seems to work better.

• And so he jerked me up off the ground.

  Shawn Ryan Show

• And I'm trying so hard to not flinch or jerk when they're trying to comfort me.

• For example, a student might develop the habit of unconsciously jerking the head when singing high notes.

  Academic text (2006)

• "Then, with a tremulous brown spotted claw, he jerks the switch that starts the train.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Get up, now!" In a frantic gesture, she jerked his arm, dragging him to his feet.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "We have to cross the Cove," said Christina, jerking Dolly to her feet.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The steward, beginning to slump on his stool, jerked to alertness and began to prepare the coffee.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

B

to bang

vsto jerk

307 1.0

To hit or close something suddenly and loudly

is a sudden sharp movement that need not be noisy

S

to snap

vsto jerk

226 1.6

Make a sudden sharp sound or movement, for example when fingers click

is a sudden sharp motion focusing on movement rather than sound

Y

to yank

vsto jerk

172 4.1

To pull something suddenly and hard

is a sudden sharp movement that may not involve pulling

T

to twitch

vsto jerk

79 2.8

To make a sudden small movement you cannot control, especially of a body part

is a sudden sharp movement that is larger and intentional

R

to rip

vsto jerk

79 6.0

To move very quickly and with great force

is a sudden sharp movement rather than continuous violent motion

F

to flick

vsto jerk

78 2.3

To move something quickly with a finger or hand

is a sudden sharp movement that is usually stronger and less light

L

to lurch

vsto jerk

40 5.6

To move suddenly and unsteadily, often forward or to one side

is a quick sharp movement without the unsteady balance aspect

S

to spring

vsto jerk

27 1.0

To move suddenly by jumping, leaping, or bouncing

is a sudden sharp motion without implying a jump or bounce

R

to recoil

vsto jerk

25 4.9

To move quickly backward because of fear, pain, or disgust

is a sudden sharp motion not limited to backward movement

B

to buck

vsto jerk

15 6.8

To move suddenly and violently to try to throw someone off

is a sudden sharp movement without the violent bucking action

J

to jolt

vsto jerk

9 3.7

To move in a sudden, rough way

is a sudden sharp movement without rough shaking

J

to jar

vsto jerk

9 5.3

To move or make something move with a sudden strong shake

is a sudden sharp movement rather than a brief shake

K

to kick

vsto jerk

7 6.8

Move back suddenly because of a strong push or impact

is a sudden sharp motion that does not imply springing back

C

to chop

vsto jerk

2 4.4

To move or change direction suddenly

is a sudden sharp movement rather than a directional shift

Antonyms

S

smooth

238 1.0

Moving or happening in an even, easy way without sudden problems

Phrasal Verbs

J

to jerk off

• Offensive

91 9.9

To touch your own private parts to get sexual pleasure

J

to jerk off

• Offensive

24 9.9

To behave like a rude or foolish person to annoy others

A

to act like a jerk

• Offensive

14 8.4

To behave rudely or meanly toward other people

C

to call someone a jerk

• Offensive

5 5.7

Say someone is rude or mean to hurt their feelings

Compounds

S

soda jerk

• Archaic

2 9.8

A person who used to serve drinks and ice cream at a diner counter

K

knee jerk

2 4.3

Lower leg suddenly kicks out when the area below the kneecap is tapped

C

clean and jerk

• Specialized

1 4.1

A weightlifting move where you lift a heavy bar to your shoulders then push it above your head

K

knee-jerk reflex

• Specialized

3.9

A sudden automatic kick of the lower leg when the tendon below the kneecap is tapped

J

jerk off attitude

• Offensive

9.9

A way of behaving that is rude and does not care about others

J

jerk water

• Slang

9.9

A spicy sauce used to flavor meat or a joking name for water that tastes bad

How Sudden

to wrench

20 4.2

to yank

172 4.1

to jerk

98 2.0

flick

20 3.0

to twitch

79 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology