herky-jerky
Moving in jolts
Herky-jerky describes motion that's uneven and spasmodic—stopping and starting abruptly rather than flowing smoothly: The old projector gave the film a herky-jerky quality.
The term applies to physical movement, mechanical operation, or anything proceeding in fits and starts: herky-jerky progress on the negotiations.
A playful reduplication suggesting jerking motion.
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
- joltingShaking with sudden force
- lurchingMoving unsteadily, abruptly
- choppyBroken into waves
- jitteryAnxiously restless
twitchy · bumpy · halting · stuttering · stop-and-go · staccato · spasmodic · shuddering
Particle ejection from surfaces
- chuggingDrinking rapidly, continuously
- misfiringFailing to ignite properly
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- stutteringInvoluntary speech disfluency
stalling · rattling · clunking · backfiring · shuddering · lurching · bucking · juddering
Not smooth or balanced
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- fitfulIrregular and spasmodic
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
unpredictable · unsteady · variable · disjointed · intermittent · patchy · halting · scattered
jerking
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
jittery · twitchy · bumpy · halting · stuttering · stop-and-go · staccato · spasmodic · shuddering · juddering
sputtering
Particle ejection from surfaces
- chuggingDrinking rapidly, continuously
- misfiringFailing to ignite properly
- grindingMolar action sometimes
stuttering · stalling · rattling · clunking · backfiring · shuddering · lurching · bucking · juddering · clanking
uneven
Not smooth or balanced
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- fitfulIrregular and spasmodic
sporadic · unpredictable · unsteady · variable · disjointed · intermittent · patchy · halting · scattered · inconstant
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
- gracelessLacking smoothness or charm
fumbling · stumbling · bumbling · gawky · klutzy · maladroit · inelegant · ungraceful · lumbering · ham-fisted
herky-jerkysteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
even · consistent · regular · uninterrupted · continuous
jerk, jerky, helter-skelter, jerkily, jerkiness, jerkier, jerkiest