Thesaurus results for JERK AROUND

jerk around

verb

Definition of jerk around

as in to play (on or upon)

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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 view of his phone camera jerks around, points up to the sky and captures a glimpse of his masked face. — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 13 Jan. 2026 Ciri gets a bit more agency and backbone, a welcome evolution for a character who has been jerked around by the plot, her allies and her enemies for too long. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 And that’s not even taking into consideration the continual jerking around of Busy Philipps. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 July 2025 He was locked up to be a franchise player, and franchise players aren’t typically jerked around like that. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 18 June 2025 The vehicles are tricked out with surround sound, too; and at one point on our joyride the bus was jerked around by the bus driver to simulate the sensation of a subway speeding underfoot. — Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 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 The camera jerks around to emphasize the Captain’s growing panic. — Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerk around

Verb

The lawsuit also alleges that Penske and Boehly manipulated and misused California’s nonprofit laws.

— Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reported that AI training data and inputs are being manipulated and warned that attackers could influence model behavior by corrupting the information AI systems rely upon.

— Syed Ali, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

There’s often debate about whether AI is used by employers to increase productivity among its workforce or cut wage costs, according to Brian Justie, a senior research analyst with the UCLA Labor Center.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Investigators said Summers was using his phone extensively before the crash, driving 73-75 mph, and tested positive for cocaine and opiates.

— Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Dennis, 32, was sentenced to six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for the pimping charge, court records show.

— Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
With a focus on combating prostitution, pimping, pandering, and human trafficking impacting the downtown area, officers with the San Bernardino Police Department served a search warrant on April 29 at the motel.

— Zach Boetto, CBS News, 2 May 2026

Definition of pimp

Verb

Companies and institutions must intentionally leverage AI to enhance human relationships, mentorship, and care, ensuring efficiency serves dignity and purpose, not just output.

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
By leveraging its intellectual property, Playboy pursues an asset-light model across licensing, digital content, consumer products and experiential offerings.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

In June, Hilton returned to the Provo Canyon School to support two families who filed lawsuits alleging that their children were mistreated at the school.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
This is not the only group of women who’ve been mistreated and not listened to.

— Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of mistreat

Verb

When Platner arrived, the place seemed haunted not only by American misconduct but also by Saddam Hussein’s use of it to imprison and abuse political dissidents during his reign.

— Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
To overturn the trial court's decision would require an appellate court to find that the trial court abused its discretion ― which is a very high bar to hurdle.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of abuse

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jerk

jerk around

jerked

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“Jerk around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerk%20around. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of jerk around

verb

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