Meaning & use

jerking

verb·Everyday

Making sudden, sharp, uncontrolled movements, or pulling something abruptly.

See it in a sentence

The old engine kept jerking forward every time he shifted gears too quickly.

Her leg started jerking involuntarily from the sudden, painful muscle cramp.

A note on using this word

Jerking is the present participle of the verb 'jerk', describing quick, abrupt motion rather than smooth, controlled movement.

Words with a similar meaning

twitchingyanking

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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