jerk
/dʒɜːrk/
NOUN
1. A sudden, sharp movement or pull
A quick, abrupt movement, pull, twist, or thrust, often occurring suddenly or involuntarily.
1.1. A sudden abrupt movement
A short, sharp, unexpected movement of the body or an object, often involving a sudden change in direction or position.
Synonyms
- jolt
- twitch
- lurch
- spasm
- saccade
Antonyms
- smooth movement
- glide
- steadiness
Examples
- The train came to a sudden stop with a violent jerk.
- She woke up with a jerk after hearing the loud noise.
Related Words
- motion
- movement
- tremor
- convulsion
- acceleration
- vibration
1.2. A sudden sharp pull or tug
A quick, forceful pulling or twisting action applied to something, usually in a sudden and abrupt manner.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- He gave the rope a sharp jerk to signal the others.
- With one quick jerk, she opened the stuck drawer.
Related Words
NOUN
2. An unpleasant, rude, or foolish person
A person regarded as stupid, inconsiderate, rude, selfish, or unpleasant, especially in informal and insulting usage.
2.1. A rude or inconsiderate person
Describes someone who behaves selfishly, disrespectfully, or unpleasantly toward other people.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- He was being a jerk by refusing to help his coworkers.
- Don't be such a jerk to people who are trying to help you.
Related Words
- rudeness
- selfishness
- disrespect
- arrogance
- bad manners
- misbehavior
2.2. A foolish or stupid person
Refers to someone considered unintelligent, foolish, or lacking good judgment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- genius
- intellectual
- wise person
- sensible person
Examples
- I felt like a jerk for forgetting such an important appointment.
- Only a jerk would make that kind of careless decision.
Related Words
NOUN
3. A weightlifting movement
A weightlifting technique in which a barbell is raised from shoulder height to overhead by extending the arms, usually with a quick upward movement.
3.1. The overhead weightlifting lift
Refers to the second phase of the clean and jerk, in which a weightlifter drives a barbell from the shoulders to a locked-out position overhead.
Synonyms
- overhead lift
- split jerk
- squat jerk
- power jerk
Examples
- The athlete completed a powerful jerk to lift the barbell overhead.
- She practiced the split jerk to improve her weightlifting technique.
Related Words
VERB
4. To move or pull suddenly and sharply
To move something or oneself with a quick, abrupt, or spasmodic motion, or to cause something to move in this way.
4.1. To pull, push, or move something abruptly
To move or pull an object or person suddenly and forcefully, often with a short, sharp motion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- She jerked the phone out of his hand.
- He jerked the door open when he heard someone calling.
Related Words
4.2. To move with sudden or spasmodic motions
To make short, abrupt, irregular, or seemingly uncontrolled movements, often involving the body or a part of it.
Synonyms
- twitch
- spasm
- lurch
- jolt
- convulse
Antonyms
- glide
- flow
- move smoothly
- remain still
Examples
- The old bus jerked forward as the driver released the brake.
- His head jerked suddenly toward the sound.
Related Words
- tremble
- shake
- shudder
- quiver
- convulsion
- spasmodic movement
4.3. To utter words or sounds abruptly
To speak or produce words in a broken, abrupt, or spasmodic manner rather than in a smooth and continuous flow.
Synonyms
- stammer
- stutter
- blurt
- spit out
Antonyms
- articulate
- enunciate
- speak fluently
Examples
- He jerked out a few words before collapsing into silence.
- She jerked the answer out between short breaths.
Related Words
- speech
- utterance
- breathlessness
- hesitation
- interruption
4.4. To preserve meat by drying
To prepare meat, especially beef, by cutting it into strips and curing or drying it, traditionally in the sun.
Synonyms
- cure
- dry
- preserve
Examples
- They jerk the beef in the sun to preserve it for later use.
- The meat was jerked using a traditional drying method.
Related Words
- jerky
- dried meat
- curing
- dehydration
- beef
- preservation
NOUN
5. Meat prepared by drying and curing
Meat, especially beef, cut into strips and preserved by drying, traditionally in the sun; also known as jerky.
5.1. Dried and cured meat
Refers to meat that has been cut into strips and preserved through drying or curing.
Synonyms
- jerky
- dried meat
- cured meat
Examples
- The travelers carried jerk as a convenient source of food.
- Traditional jerk was made by drying strips of meat in the sun.
Related Words
- beef
- venison
- dehydration
- meat preservation
- curing
- smoked meat