1. An abrupt spasmodic movement
   - jerk, jolt, saccade

1. Lacking a steady rhythm
   - arrhythmic, jerky

1. Pull, or move with a sudden movement
   "He turned the handle and jerked the door open"
   - yank, hoick 
2. Move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions
   - twitch 
3. Make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
   - twitch 
4. Jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched
   - buck, hitch 
5. Throw or toss with a quick motion
   "jerk his head"
   - flick

Derived forms: jerkings

See also: jerker, unsteady

Type of: draw, force, motility, motion, move, move involuntarily, move reflexively, movement, pull, push

Encyclopedia: Jerk

• reaction turbine
• reaction-propulsion engine
• reactionary
• reactionism
• reactionist
• reactivate
• reactive
• reactive depression
• reactive schizophrenia
• reactivity
• reactor
• read
• read between the lines
• Read method
• Read method of childbirth
• read-only file
• read-only memory
• read-only memory chip
• read-only storage
• read/write head
• read/write memory
• readability
• readable
• readably
• readapt