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

K

to kick

vsto jerk

323 6.8

Move back suddenly because of a strong push or impact

is a sudden sharp motion that does not imply springing back

B

to bang

vsto jerk

318 1.0

To hit or close something suddenly and loudly

is a sudden sharp movement that need not be noisy

Y

to yank

vsto jerk

196 4.1

To pull something suddenly and hard

is a sudden sharp movement that may not involve pulling

S

to spring

vsto jerk

141 1.0

To move suddenly by jumping, leaping, or bouncing

is a sudden sharp motion without implying a jump or bounce

S

to snap

vsto jerk

88 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

R

to rip

vsto jerk

88 6.0

To move very quickly and with great force

is a sudden sharp movement rather than continuous violent motion

T

to twitch

vsto jerk

66 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

F

to flick

vsto jerk

60 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

34 5.6

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

is a quick sharp movement without the unsteady balance aspect

C

to chop

vsto jerk

25 4.4

To move or change direction suddenly

is a sudden sharp movement rather than a directional shift

R

to recoil

vsto jerk

19 4.9

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

is a sudden sharp motion not limited to backward movement

J

to jolt

vsto jerk

15 3.7

To move in a sudden, rough way

is a sudden sharp movement without rough shaking

B

to buck

vsto jerk

9 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 jar

vsto jerk

1 5.3

To move or make something move with a sudden strong shake

is a sudden sharp movement rather than a brief shake

Antonyms

S

smooth

204 1.0

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

Phrasal Verbs

J

to jerk off

• Offensive

30 9.9

To touch your own private parts to get sexual pleasure

A

to act like a jerk

• Offensive

9 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

J

to jerk off

• Offensive

4 9.9

To behave like a rude or foolish person to annoy others

Compounds

K

knee jerk

3 4.3

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

S

soda jerk

• Archaic

1 9.8

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

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

1 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

33 4.2

to yank

196 4.1

to jerk

217 2.0

flick

24 3.0

to twitch

66 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology