herky-jerky

adjective

ˈhər-kē-ˈjər-kē How to pronounce herky-jerky (audio)
Definition of herky-jerkynext
as in rough
marked by a series of sharp quick motions filmed in a herky-jerky style that will give many moviegoers a headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 herky-jerky The way that life unfolds in herky-jerky, unpredictable rhythms informs the experimental approach that Dijon, a 33-year-old producer-singer, takes to R&B. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 If the segues in Scene don’t feel haphazard and herky-jerky, this is in no small part because of the role addiction plays as connective tissue between sections, a kind of leitmotif. — Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 In a throwback to the warts-and-all silliness of the family’s legendary MTV reality show, The Osbournes, Coming Home appears to lean into the domestic comedy of the Osbourne clan, opening with a jittery Ozzy begging Sharon to stop driving in a herky-jerky manner. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025 The lineup of dishes and sauces and combos verges on overwhelming; they’re presented in a mix of typefaces and colors, and punctuated by herky-jerky photo animations—a waving hand holding a soft-serve twist, spidery fingers with brass nail extensions used in the traditional Thai dance Fawn Leb. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for herky-jerky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herky-jerky
  1. rough
  2. uneven
  3. jerky
  4. choppy
  5. bumpy
Adjective
  • Even a rough one shortens the negotiation and produces a fairer number for both sides.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • The men were diving a reef off Duck Key, in the Middle Keys, when they became separated from their boat amid rough waters, FWC spokeswoman Arielle Callender said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • The First Circuit's decision applies only to the 23 states that sued over the executive order, possibly creating an uneven legal landscape between red and blue states.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • That Seigler homer started a run of uneven outings for Minter, who allowed another two-run homer on Friday night to Kyle Tucker.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • That is always tricky, but Ojai was especially jerky.
    — Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 28 June 2026
  • What began as an effort by namesake founder Jack Link to turn his great-grandfather’s jerky recipe into a livelihood has grown into a global business selling products in more than 55 countries.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 May 2026
Definition of jerky
Adjective
  • At the film’s Shanghai premiere, her short, curly cut was replaced with long, straight locks and choppy baby bangs.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • It’s been a choppy year for restaurants that lean into lettuce.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of choppy
Adjective
  • The circuit is known for its sharp turns, bumpy surface, and high track temperature.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
  • Off-road driving can be quite bumpy, slow-going and mentally taxing, making a good night's sleep more important than ever.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Definition of bumpy

Browse Nearby Words

heritages
herky-jerky
hermetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herky-jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herky-jerky. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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