as in rough
marked by a series of sharp quick motions
filmed in a herky-jerky style that will give many moviegoers a headache
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Recent Examples of herky-jerky
His smooth, yet herky-jerky style has had defenses guessing and gasping all season.
—
Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
That’s a bit surprising given his herky-jerky, all-joints-flying-at-you, cross-firing delivery.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Remember that live design collaboration suffered from maddening lag times and herky-jerky movements just a few short years ago.
—PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
But even if Trump’s tariffs ultimately end up being less harsh than feared, a worry hitting the market is that their herky-jerky rollout may by itself create enough nervousness to get U.S. households and businesses to freeze their spending, which would damage the economy.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
What better for the crafty, herky-jerky guard than a big man who can roll, pop and allow Brunson to play off the ball more because of his passing?
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Lamar rapped with intense focus, nailing every bit of elegantly herky-jerky choreography.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2025
Experts agree mid-drive bikes typically deliver a less herky-jerky ride, because the motor assist is integrated into the pedal crank itself.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
Judging by what Trump has said so far, and the herky-jerky way peace talks in Saudi Arabia have been rolled out, the president would be satisfied with a ceasefire that contained no guarantees of Ukrainian security should Putin later renege on the deal.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
That’s a bit surprising given his herky-jerky, all-joints-flying-at-you, cross-firing delivery.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Remember that live design collaboration suffered from maddening lag times and herky-jerky movements just a few short years ago.
—PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
But even if Trump’s tariffs ultimately end up being less harsh than feared, a worry hitting the market is that their herky-jerky rollout may by itself create enough nervousness to get U.S. households and businesses to freeze their spending, which would damage the economy.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
What better for the crafty, herky-jerky guard than a big man who can roll, pop and allow Brunson to play off the ball more because of his passing?
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Lamar rapped with intense focus, nailing every bit of elegantly herky-jerky choreography.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2025
Experts agree mid-drive bikes typically deliver a less herky-jerky ride, because the motor assist is integrated into the pedal crank itself.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
Judging by what Trump has said so far, and the herky-jerky way peace talks in Saudi Arabia have been rolled out, the president would be satisfied with a ceasefire that contained no guarantees of Ukrainian security should Putin later renege on the deal.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herky-jerky
Adjective
-
Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
While a canker sore is forming, that part of your mouth may also tingle, burn or feel rough.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
Spongy or uneven surfaces are caused by structural weakening from internal damage.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Jack Links Sour Cream and Onion Jerky, Hot Dill Pickle Beef Sticks Coming January to most major grocery stores Next year, jerky titan Jack Links is set to unveil a handful of new meat snacks including sour cream and onion jerky and spicy dill pickle beef sticks.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
16 May 2025
-
Mine-Cart Madness really is that jerky, definitely look out for your back and neck.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Tanner's experience at PepsiCo should prove beneficial as the company navigates choppy waters, Lash said.—
Neil J Kanatt,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
-
The Police Department’s rescue boat sliced across the choppy water toward the Johnstons’ MasterCraft.—
Ethan Wolin
Updated July 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Still, their relationship has always been bumpier than either likely hoped.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
-
Win or lose, a Newsom campaign for the White House would be a bumpy ride.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Herky-jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herky-jerky. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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