yerk

24 synonyms for yerk, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To stab a person or thing.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

job fire

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

jab ching gore whip slash awaken

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

juke kebab chib chive foin gride enflame quicken enkindle exhilarate galvanize electrify enthrill animate fillip excite

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To stab a person or thing.

jab juke job ching kebab chib chive foin gore gride

2. verb

To hit someone with a whip or a stick.

whip slash

3. verb

To wake someone up or make them excited.

enflame quicken enkindle exhilarate galvanize electrify enthrill animate awaken fillip excite fire

Etymology

From Middle English ȝerken (“to move suddenly, excite, bind tightly, attack”), from Old English ġearcian (“to prepare, make ready”), compare ġearc (“active, quick”). Cognate with jerk; see yare for more cognates.

Full origin of yerk →

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job fire whip gore slash ching awaken jab excite animate fillip enflame

Nearby words

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