1
as in rough
marked by a series of sharp quick motions
made jerky progress walking with the new crutches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
he's acting jerky just to get people's attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jerky
No word yet on the number of types of jerky, flavors of kolaches, or length of the barbecue counter.
—
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
The animations during battle are not entirely fluid but slightly violent and jerky; this seems like an aesthetic choice to bring out the chaos and violence, not a tech limitation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
These aren’t jerky, pre-programmed movements, but something more fluid and adaptive — the result of a new AI model called Gemini Robotics that the company unveiled earlier this month.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025
The group choreography is somehow both jerky and smooth, sprinkled with flashes of individual freestyle brilliance.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
The animations during battle are not entirely fluid but slightly violent and jerky; this seems like an aesthetic choice to bring out the chaos and violence, not a tech limitation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
These aren’t jerky, pre-programmed movements, but something more fluid and adaptive — the result of a new AI model called Gemini Robotics that the company unveiled earlier this month.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025
The group choreography is somehow both jerky and smooth, sprinkled with flashes of individual freestyle brilliance.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jerky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jerky
Adjective
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Here are several other Twins takeaways from a rough weekend in Denver, which ended on an encouraging note: Ryan shows confidence after first All-Star Game Making his first start since delivering a dominant inning in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Ryan was outstanding in the series finale.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 July 2025
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Devin Williams has settled down after a rough beginning of the year, and Luke Weaver remains superb despite some hiccups before the All-Star Break.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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And some stupid Republicans, and foolish Republicans, fall into the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
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The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Long runs over uneven, rocky trail comes with its share of foot issues, but few sacrifices are greater than those poor keratin creatures attached to your precious foot fingers.—
Kade Krichko,
Outside Online,
22 July 2025
-
King argued that political rights alone were not enough in an uneven economy.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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There were no costumes, no silly dances or hit parodies.—
Courtney Devores,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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That may sound silly to some, Foster said, but the work done by the Environmental Protection Agency in placing bands on birds and following the migration of bees informs officials about the impact of projects on the environment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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Tanner's experience at PepsiCo should prove beneficial as the company navigates choppy waters, Lash said.—
Neil J Kanatt,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
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Many of those rescued were unconscious after drifting in choppy waters for hours, said Banyuwangi Police Chief Rama Samtama Putra.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Controllable pitching is hard to come by in the big leagues, and the Pirates would be foolish to trade him away after signing him to a big contract.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
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Any in-depth evaluation would be foolish until Monday, when players don pads and the pass rush speeds McCarthy up even further.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Marketing and advertising have undergone a similar shift from mad men to math men.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jerky. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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