jerkily
Definition
Adverb: 1. In a jerky manner; with abrupt, uneven, or convulsive movements: Describes an action performed with sudden starts, stops, or pulls, lacking smoothness or fluidity. 2. In a spasmodic manner; with involuntary muscle contractions: Describes a movement that is sudden, uncontrollable, and irregular, often due to a reflex or medical condition.
Usage Examples
- The old elevator ascended jerkily, stopping with a lurch at every floor.
- He nodded jerkily, his nervousness obvious to everyone watching.
- The car moved jerkily through the heavy traffic as the driver struggled with the manual transmission.
- The puppet danced jerkily on its strings.
Advanced Usage
- To move/jerk jerkily: This is a common collocation where the adverb intensifies the verb's inherent meaning of abrupt motion.
- The fishing line tugged jerkily, indicating a fish was on the hook.
- To speak jerkily: Can describe speech that is halting, interrupted by pauses or emotion.
- He spoke jerkily, trying to hold back his tears.
Variants and Related Words
- Jerky (adjective): Characterized by jerks; moving in a jerky manner.
- The jerky motion of the train made it hard to write.
- Jerk (noun): A quick, sharp, sudden movement.
- He gave the rope a strong jerk.
- Jerk (verb): To move with a quick, sharp motion; to pull suddenly.
- She jerked her hand away from the hot stove.
Synonyms
- Spasmodically: In sudden, brief, violent bursts.
- Convulsively: With violent, involuntary muscle contractions.
- Abruptly: Suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Fitfully: In an irregular and intermittent way.
Antonyms
- Smoothly: In a smooth, even, and uninterrupted way.
- Fluidly: In a graceful, flowing manner.
- Evenly: In a constant, regular, and uniform way.
- Steadily: In a firm, regular, and unwavering manner.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- In fits and starts: With irregular bursts of activity, similar to moving jerkily.
- The project progressed in fits and starts.
- (To come/go) by jerks: An older phrase meaning to proceed with abrupt movements.
- The old machine operated by jerks.
Adverb
-
with jerking motions
-
She rose stiffly, jerkily from the window seat
-
-
with spasms
-
the mouth was slightly open, and jerked violently and spasmodically at one corner
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
