101 Bad Words That Start With J: Impact and Alternatives

Have you ever noticed how certain words can instantly change the mood of a conversation?

Today, we’re looking at negative words that start with the letter J, learning why they can be harmful, and finding better ways to express ourselves.

Why Words Matter

The words we choose convey more than just meaning—they shape how others see us and feel about themselves.

When we use negative language, even without meaning to cause harm, we might create ripples of negativity that affect our relationships and community.

Think about the last time someone called you a “jerk” or said you were being “judgmental.”

Those words probably stuck with you longer than you’d like to admit.

That’s because negative language has a way of burrowing into our thoughts and affecting our self-image.

The J Factor

Why focus on words that start with J?

While it might seem random, many J-words in English carry strong negative associations.

Some linguistics experts think this might be related to the harsh sound of the letter in certain words, while others point to historical and cultural influences.

Understanding J-Words That Judge Character

When we label someone as “jaded” or “jealous,” we’re making assumptions about them.

These words can simplify complex emotions and experiences, damage relationships, and prevent understanding.

1. Jaded

Meaning: Emotionally worn out or cynical, often due to repeated disappointments or overexposure.
Origin: From Middle English “jade,” referring to a worn-out horse, implying a tired or cynical person.
Example: “After years of working in the industry, he became jaded and no longer believed in the cause.”

2. Jagoff

Meaning: A term used to describe a foolish or irritating person.
Origin: Unknown, though it is a slang term in Pittsburgh, often used as an insult.
Example: “Stop acting like such a jagoff and help me with this!”

3. Jailbird

Meaning: A person who has been frequently incarcerated or is known for being in trouble with the law.
Origin: From the term “bird,” referring to someone who is frequently in jail.
Example: “He’s a jailbird, always getting arrested for something.”

4. Jaundiced

Meaning: Having a yellowish tint, often used metaphorically to describe someone with a cynical or biased outlook, usually due to negative experiences.
Origin: From Old French “jaunisse,” meaning yellow, referring to the medical condition jaundice.
Example: “Her jaundiced view of the world makes it hard for her to trust anyone.”

5. Jealous

Meaning: Feeling resentment or envy towards someone due to their advantages or success.
Origin: From Old French “jalousie,” derived from Latin “zelus,” meaning zeal or passion.
Example: “He was jealous of his colleague’s promotion, even though he didn’t deserve it.”

6. Jerk

Meaning: A rude, mean, or inconsiderate person.
Origin: From the verb “jerk,” meaning to pull roughly, signifying a sudden or harsh personality.
Example: “Stop being such a jerk and apologize for what you did.”

7. Jerker

Meaning: A variant of “jerk,” used to describe a person who is rude, obnoxious, or irritating.
Origin: Derived from the word “jerk,” with the same connotation of someone unpleasant.
Example: “That guy is such a jerker, always getting in the way.”

8. Jerkface

Meaning: An insulting term for someone who is acting in a rude or unkind manner.
Origin: Combination of “jerk” and “face,” used to amplify the insult.
Example: “He’s acting like a total jerkface today.”

9. Jerkish

Meaning: Having the characteristics of a jerk; rude, mean, or unpleasant.
Origin: Derived from “jerk” with the suffix “-ish,” meaning resembling or characteristic of.
Example: “Her jerkish behavior made everyone uncomfortable.”

10. Jerkoff

Meaning: A vulgar term used to describe someone who is annoying, immature, or foolish.
Origin: From slang “jerk,” with an offensive connotation.
Example: “He’s such a jerkoff for always ruining the fun.”

11. Jerkwad

Meaning: A derogatory term for a person who is considered foolish, irritating, or inconsiderate.
Origin: Slang term combining “jerk” and “wad” for added insult.
Example: “Quit acting like such a jerkwad and take responsibility for your actions.”

12. Jerkwater

Meaning: A slang term used to describe a person or thing that is insignificant or inferior.
Origin: Likely derived from “jerk,” with “water” suggesting something weak or ineffective.
Example: “He comes from a jerkwater town with nothing to offer.”

13. Jerkweed

Meaning: An insulting term for someone who is acting foolish or irritating.
Origin: Combines “jerk” and “weed,” suggesting someone worthless or annoying.
Example: “He’s being a total jerkweed, always starting trouble.”

14. Jezebel

Meaning: A woman considered to be wicked, immoral, or manipulative.
Origin: From the biblical figure Jezebel, known for her evil deeds.
Example: “She was called a Jezebel for seducing men and causing chaos.”

15. Jobsworth

Meaning: A person who follows rules too strictly, even when it is unnecessary or impractical.
Origin: British slang, likely derived from “job’s worth,” meaning the minimum effort required.
Example: “That jobsworth wouldn’t let me in without a ticket, even though it was an emergency.”

16. Judas

Meaning: A person who betrays or deceives others, often used to describe a traitor.
Origin: From the biblical story of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Example: “He’s a Judas for selling out his friends for money.”

17. Judgmental

Meaning: Inclined to judge others harshly or make snap decisions without understanding.
Origin: From the word “judgment,” with the suffix “-al,” meaning relating to judgment.
Example: “She’s so judgmental, always criticizing others without knowing their situation.”

18. Junkie

Meaning: A person addicted to drugs or harmful substances.
Origin: From the word “junk,” meaning useless or discarded material, used to describe a drug addict.
Example: “He became a junkie after years of struggling with addiction.”

19. Jackass

Meaning: A foolish or stubborn person, often used as a derogatory term.
Origin: From the combination of “jack” (a name for a donkey) and “ass,” referring to the animal known for being stubborn.
Example: “Don’t be such a jackass, help out instead of complaining.”

20. Jabbermouth

Meaning: A person who talks excessively, often without regard for appropriateness or discretion.
Origin: From the verb “jabber,” meaning to talk rapidly and incoherently.
Example: “Stop being such a jabbermouth and let others speak.”

21. Jejune

Meaning: Lacking maturity or substance, often used to describe something uninteresting or naive.
Origin: From Latin “jejunus,” meaning fasting or lacking nourishment.
Example: “The movie’s jejune plot failed to capture the audience’s attention.”

22. Jelly-spined

Meaning: Describing someone who is weak-willed or lacks courage.
Origin: From “jelly,” suggesting softness or lack of firmness, and “spine,” the symbol of strength.
Example: “He’s too jelly-spined to stand up to the bullies.”

23. Jobless

Meaning: Lacking employment or work, often with a negative implication of being idle or unproductive.
Origin: From “job” (employment) combined with the suffix “-less,” indicating a lack of something.
Example: “He has been jobless for months and is struggling to find work.”

24. Joker-faced

Meaning: Having a face that conveys a sense of being untrustworthy, mocking, or insincere.
Origin: From “joker,” meaning someone who makes jokes, combined with “face,” implying facial expression.
Example: “Her joker-faced expression made it hard to tell if she was serious.”

25. Judgmentally

Meaning: In a manner characterized by harsh or critical judgment.
Origin: Derived from the word “judgment” with the adverbial suffix “-ally.”
Example: “She always speaks judgmentally, never considering other perspectives.”

26. Junky

Meaning: Describing something or someone in a state of disrepair or addiction.
Origin: Derived from the word “junk,” meaning worthless or discarded items.
Example: “The house was full of junky furniture, barely functional.”

27. Jackanapes

Meaning: A mischievous or impudent person, often used as an insult.
Origin: From “jack” (a common name) and “apes,” referring to someone acting like a foolish animal.
Example: “Stop acting like such a jackanapes and grow up.”

28. Jackleg

Meaning: A person who is unqualified or lacks skill in their work.
Origin: Likely derived from the word “jack,” meaning an unskilled worker.
Example: “He’s a jackleg carpenter who can barely finish a project.”

29. Jade-faced

Meaning: Having a look of envy or jealousy, suggesting a negative or sour attitude.
Origin: Derived from “jade,” a gemstone often associated with negative feelings.
Example: “Her jade-faced expression made it clear that she was envious of others.”

30. Jealous-eyed

Meaning: Having a look of jealousy, often indicating possessiveness or resentment.
Origin: Derived from “jealous,” referring to envy or suspicion.
Example: “His jealous-eyed glare was enough to make anyone uncomfortable.”

31. Jealous-hearted

Meaning: Having a heart full of envy or possessiveness.
Origin: Derived from “jealous,” indicating envy or covetousness.
Example: “Her jealous-hearted attitude often led to conflict in relationships.”

32. Jelly-gutted

Meaning: Describing someone who is physically weak or lacking courage.
Origin: Derived from “jelly,” suggesting softness or lack of strength.
Example: “He was too jelly-gutted to challenge his superior.”

33. Jelly-kneed

Meaning: Lacking physical strength or courage, often used to describe someone who is easily frightened.
Origin: Derived from “jelly,” suggesting weakness, and “knee,” a part of the body that can shake with fear.
Example: “She was jelly-kneed when it came time to speak in front of the crowd.”

34. Jerkaholic

Meaning: A person who consistently behaves in a rude or obnoxious manner.
Origin: Combination of “jerk” and “-aholic,” meaning addicted to a certain behavior.
Example: “He’s a total jerkaholic, always causing problems for others.”

35. Jerk-faced

Meaning: Having a facial expression that reflects a rude or unpleasant personality.
Origin: Derived from “jerk,” indicating someone who is irritating or obnoxious, and “face.”
Example: “His jerk-faced expression made it clear he wasn’t interested in the conversation.”

36. Job-shirking

Meaning: Avoiding or neglecting one’s responsibilities, particularly at work.
Origin: From “job” (employment) and “shirking,” meaning to evade duties.
Example: “The job-shirking employee never met deadlines and caused delays.”

37. Joker-mean

Meaning: A person who makes mean-spirited jokes or behaves mockingly.
Origin: Derived from “joker,” meaning one who makes jokes, and “mean,” indicating cruelty.
Example: “His joker-mean remarks hurt everyone in the room.”

38. Junkie-acting

Meaning: Behaving in a manner associated with drug addiction or compulsive behavior.
Origin: Derived from “junkie,” referring to a drug addict, and “acting,” indicating behavior.
Example: “He’s been junkie-acting for weeks, avoiding responsibility and focus.”

39. Jerkified

Meaning: A term used to describe someone who has become more rude or inconsiderate over time.
Origin: Derived from “jerk,” with the “-ified” suffix indicating transformation.
Example: “He’s been jerkified after all the pressure at work, treating everyone poorly.”

40. Jumbled

Meaning: Confused or disordered in thoughts or actions, making a person seem scattered.
Origin: From the verb “jumble,” meaning to mix or confuse.
Example: “His jumbled thoughts made it hard to have a clear conversation.”

J-Words That Express Instability

Terms like “jumpy” or “jittery” often carry a subtle judgment about a person’s composure or reliability.

While these states are natural responses to stress or anxiety, using these labels can make others feel self-conscious or invalidated.

41. Jangled

Meaning: Having a harsh or discordant sound; mentally unsettled or chaotic.
Origin: From Middle English “janglen,” meaning to make a harsh sound.
Example: “The jangled noise from the broken machine made it impossible to concentrate.”

42. Jarring

Meaning: Striking or shocking, causing discomfort or disorientation.
Origin: From Old French “jarre,” meaning a dish or container, used metaphorically to describe something unpleasant.
Example: “The jarring sound of the alarm startled everyone in the room.”

43. Jeered

Meaning: To mock or taunt someone in a rude or disrespectful way.
Origin: From Middle English “gere,” meaning to mock or deride.
Example: “The crowd jeered at the player after his poor performance.”

44. Jeering

Meaning: Mocking or taunting in a scornful or derisive manner.
Origin: From the verb “jeer,” meaning to laugh or shout derisively.
Example: “The jeering crowd made the actor feel unwelcome.”

45. Jerking

Meaning: A sudden, sharp movement, often indicating instability or unpredictability.
Origin: From the verb “jerk,” meaning to move suddenly and quickly.
Example: “The car was jerking as the engine sputtered.”

46. Jittery

Meaning: Nervous or restless, often due to anxiety or stress.
Origin: From the word “jitter,” referring to a nervous or excited movement.
Example: “She felt jittery before her big presentation, unable to sit still.”

47. Jumbled

Meaning: Mixed in a confused or disordered way, lacking clarity or organization.
Origin: From the Middle English “jumble,” meaning to confuse or mix up.
Example: “The jumbled notes made it difficult to understand his argument.”

48. Jumpy

Meaning: Easily startled or nervous, often reacting with sudden movements.
Origin: From the verb “jump,” meaning to move suddenly, often due to fear or anxiety.
Example: “The loud noises made her feel jumpy all evening.”

49. Jinx-prone

Meaning: Susceptible to bad luck or misfortune, often associated with repeated negative outcomes.
Origin: From the word “jinx,” meaning a person or thing that brings bad luck.
Example: “He’s so jinx-prone that everything seems to go wrong around him.”

50. Jinxing

Meaning: The act of causing bad luck or misfortune, often through actions or words.
Origin: From the word “jinx,” meaning bad luck or a curse.
Example: “Stop jinxing the game by talking about winning before it’s over.”

51. Jitteriness

Meaning: The state of being jittery, often due to nervousness or anxiety.
Origin: Derived from “jitter,” meaning a nervous or unsettled movement.
Example: “Her jitteriness was obvious as she fidgeted during the meeting.”

52. Jokester-mean

Meaning: A person who makes mean-spirited jokes, often to undermine or embarrass others.
Origin: From “jokester,” meaning a person who tells jokes, and “mean,” indicating cruelty.
Example: “His jokester-mean remarks made everyone uncomfortable during the party.”

53. Jostle-prone

Meaning: Inclined to be physically or emotionally jostled, often leading to instability or disarray.
Origin: From “jostle,” meaning to push or shove in a way that creates disorder.
Example: “She was jostle-prone, always getting caught in awkward situations.”

54. Juiceless

Meaning: Lacking vitality, interest, or excitement; dull or unappealing.
Origin: Derived from “juice,” often symbolizing life or energy, with the suffix “-less” indicating the absence of it.
Example: “The conversation felt juiceless, as no one had anything interesting to add.”

55. Jumble-headed

Meaning: Having a confused or disordered way of thinking.
Origin: From “jumble,” meaning a confused mix, and “headed,” referring to one’s thoughts or mind.
Example: “He was so jumble-headed that he couldn’t finish his sentences clearly.”

56. Jumble-minded

Meaning: Having a disorganized, confused, or scattered thought process.
Origin: From “jumble,” meaning a mixture, and “minded,” relating to one’s mental state.
Example: “Her jumble-minded thinking led her to forget important details.”

57. Jumped-up

Meaning: Pretentious or acting in a way that suggests an inflated sense of self-importance.
Origin: From the verb “jump up,” suggesting a sudden or boastful rise in status.
Example: “Don’t act so jumped-up just because you got a promotion.”

58. Jumpiness

Meaning: The quality of being jumpy, nervous, or easily startled.
Origin: From the verb “jump,” indicating a sudden, startled movement.
Example: “The jumpiness of the crowd was palpable as the lights dimmed.”

59. Jeering-faced

Meaning: Having a facial expression that conveys mockery or disdain.
Origin: From “jeering,” meaning to mock or ridicule, and “face,” referring to one’s expression.
Example: “His jeering-faced expression made everyone feel uncomfortable.”

60. Jeer-making

Meaning: The act of mocking or ridiculing others, usually loud or hostile.
Origin: From “jeer,” meaning to mock or taunt.
Example: “The jeer-making crowd made the actor feel like an outsider.”

61. Jeer-prone

Meaning: Inclined to mock or taunt others, often in a way that causes harm or embarrassment.
Origin: From “jeer,” meaning to mock, and “prone,” indicating susceptibility.
Example: “He’s so jeer-prone that he always makes fun of people without thinking.”

62. Jerking-minded

Meaning: A sudden or erratic thought process, often leading to unstable or irrational decisions.
Origin: From “jerking,” meaning a quick, abrupt movement, and “minded,” referring to the thought process.
Example: “His jerking-minded approach to problem-solving caused more issues than it solved.”

63. Jerkish-acting

Meaning: Displaying behavior that is rude, insensitive, or unpleasant in a way that creates instability in social situations.
Origin: From “jerk,” meaning a rude or inconsiderate person, and “acting,” meaning to behave in a certain way.
Example: “Stop jerkish-acting and start contributing to the conversation.”

64. Jesting-mean

Meaning: Making jokes intended to hurt or mock others rather than for humor.
Origin: From “jest,” meaning a joke or playful remark, and “mean,” indicating malice.
Example: “His jesting-mean remarks at the dinner table left everyone feeling awkward.”

65. Jitter-prone

Meaning: Tending to experience jitters, nervousness, or instability frequently.
Origin: From “jitter,” referring to a nervous or shaky state, and “prone,” meaning susceptible.
Example: “She was jitter-prone, always feeling nervous before a big event.”

66. Jolting-prone

Meaning: Prone to sudden, violent movements or emotional shocks, causing instability.
Origin: From “jolt,” meaning a sudden movement or shock, and “prone,” indicating susceptibility.
Example: “His jolting-prone behavior made it hard to have a calm conversation.”

67. Jumbled-minded

Meaning: Having a mind full of confused or disordered thoughts.
Origin: From “jumbled,” meaning mixed up or confused, and “minded,” referring to one’s mental state.
Example: “She was so jumbled-minded that she couldn’t focus on anything for long.”

68. Jagged-tempered

Meaning: Having an uneven or unpredictable temperament, often leading to sudden outbursts of anger or frustration.
Origin: From “jagged,” meaning rough or uneven, and “tempered,” referring to emotional balance.
Example: “His jagged-tempered nature made it difficult to approach him for advice.”

69. Jitter-filled

Meaning: Full of nervousness, unease, or instability.
Origin: Derived from “jitter,” meaning a nervous or unsettled state, and “filled,” indicating being full of that feeling.
Example: “She was jitter-filled before the interview, unable to sit still.”

J-Words That Suggest Harm

Some J-words, like “jeopardize” or “jettison,” imply danger or loss.

While these words can describe genuine risks, overusing them can create unnecessary anxiety or drama in everyday situations.

70. Jackbooted

Meaning: Referring to a person or action characterized by oppression, force, or authoritarianism.
Origin: From the German word “Stiefel,” meaning military boots, often associated with oppressive regimes.
Example: “The jackbooted tactics of the regime instilled fear in the population.”

71. Jihadi

Meaning: A person who participates in or advocates for jihad, often associated with violent religious extremism.
Origin: From Arabic, “jihad,” meaning struggle or effort, is often used in violent conflict.
Example: “The jihadi group carried out attacks in the name of religious duty.”

72. Jinx

Meaning: A person or thing believed to bring bad luck or misfortune.
Origin: From the Greek word “iynx,” referring to a bird whose cry was associated with magic or bad luck.
Example: “He’s such a jinx; every time he shows up, something goes wrong.”

73. Jinxed

Meaning: Having bad luck or being prone to misfortune, often due to being cursed.
Origin: Derived from “jinx,” meaning a bad luck bringer.
Example: “After the accident, she felt jinxed and couldn’t catch a break.”

74. Jolt

Meaning: A sudden shock or movement, often implying harm or disturbance.
Origin: From the Middle English “jolte,” meaning to strike or shake.
Example: “The jolt from the car crash left him with whiplash.”

75. Jailhouse

Meaning: Referring to a place of incarceration or the associated rough, dangerous conditions.
Origin: From the Old French “jaiole,” meaning a cage or prison.
Example: “He had a rough life in the jailhouse, with little opportunity for reform.”

76. Jeopardy-Prone

Meaning: Prone to being in danger or at risk of harm.
Origin: From the French word “jeu parti,” meaning a game with divided chances, leading to “jeopardy,” meaning danger.
Example: “Her reckless behavior made her jeopardy-prone, always one step away from disaster.”

77. Junked

Meaning: To discard or get rid of something, often implying neglect or harm.
Origin: From Middle English, “jonke” means a ship’s debris, later referring to discarded items.
Example: “The old car was junked after years of neglect.”

78. Junked-Up

Meaning: Full of junk, clutter, or disorganized, often implying harm to the environment or living conditions.
Origin: Derived from “junk,” meaning discarded material or rubbish.
Example: “The house was junked-up with old furniture and broken appliances.”

79. Junk-Filled

Meaning: Containing an excessive amount of unnecessary or harmful items.
Origin: From “junk,” referring to discarded or worthless things.
Example: “The room was junk-filled, making it impossible to find anything.”

80. Junkified

Meaning: Having been filled or transformed into junk, often making something useless or harmful.
Origin: From “junk,” meaning discarded material, and the suffix “-ified,” indicating a change or transformation.
Example: “The once-beautiful park was junkified, littered with debris and old machines.”

81. Junkyard-Dog

Meaning: A term used to describe someone aggressive, rough, or chaotic, often associated with harm or violence.
Origin: From the idea of a dog living in a junkyard, rough and territorial.
Example: “The junkyard-dog attitude of the group made it difficult to negotiate peacefully.”

82. Jail-Prone

Meaning: Likely to be incarcerated or involved with the criminal justice system.
Origin: From “jail,” referring to a prison or place of confinement, and “prone,” indicating a tendency.
Example: “His jail-prone lifestyle led him into frequent trouble with the law.”

83. Jaundiced-Eye

Meaning: A skeptical or cynical view, often colored by prejudice or suspicion, leading to harm.
Origin: From “jaundice,” a medical condition that causes yellowing of the skin, symbolizing distortion or negativity.
Example: “She viewed his proposal with a jaundiced-eye, unable to trust his intentions.”

84. Jeopardizing

Meaning: Putting something or someone at risk, endangering their safety or success.
Origin: From the French “jeu parti,” meaning a divided game or chance, later meaning danger.
Example: “His actions were jeopardizing the entire project, risking failure.”

85. Jinx-Making

Meaning: The act of causing bad luck or misfortune, often deliberately or through influence.
Origin: From “jinx,” a person or thing believed to bring bad luck.
Example: “Her jinx-making behavior made everyone nervous before the important event.”

86. Jinx-Worthy

Meaning: Having the potential to cause bad luck or misfortune, deserving of a jinx.
Origin: From “jinx,” a source of misfortune or bad luck.
Example: “That plan was jinx-worthy; nothing could go right with it.”

87. Judgment-Prone

Meaning: Inclined to make harsh or rash decisions, leading to potential harm.
Origin: From “judgment,” referring to the act of making decisions or forming opinions, and “prone,” meaning susceptible.
Example: “His judgment-prone nature led to many mistakes in the workplace.”

88. Jump-Judging

Meaning: To make a judgment too quickly, often without full understanding, leading to unfair consequences.
Origin: From “jump,” meaning to move quickly, and “judging,” meaning forming an opinion.
Example: “She was jump-judging, making assumptions without hearing all the facts.”

89. Junker-Like

Meaning: Describing something that resembles junk, usually in a harmful or degraded state.
Origin: From “junk,” meaning discarded or worthless material.
Example: “The old car was junker-like, falling apart with every drive.”

90. Junkified-Looking

Meaning: Appearing to be filled with junk or in a dilapidated, damaged state.
Origin: From “junk,” meaning discarded or worthless items, and “-ified” meaning transformed.
Example: “His office looked junkified-looking, with papers scattered everywhere.”

91. Junking-Prone

Meaning: Tending to be discarded or filled with junk, leading to deterioration.
Origin: From “junk,” meaning discarded material, and “prone,” indicating a tendency.
Example: “Her room was junking-prone, always messy and cluttered.”

92. Junkyard-Like

Meaning: Resembling a junkyard, usually chaotic or disordered, with potential harm.
Origin: From “junkyard,” a place where discarded items are stored.
Example: “The basement was junkyard-like, filled with broken furniture and trash.”

93. Jail-Worthy

Meaning: Deserving of imprisonment or punishment due to harmful behavior.
Origin: From “jail,” meaning a place of confinement, and “worthy,” meaning deserving.
Example: “His actions were jail-worthy, and he faced serious charges.”

94. Jaundiced-Minded

Meaning: Having a distorted or negative perspective, often leading to harmful decisions.
Origin: From “jaundiced,” meaning yellowed or distorted, symbolizing negativity or prejudice.
Example: “His jaundiced-minded view of the situation caused him to miss important details.”

95. Jeer-Filled

Meaning: Full of mockery or scorn, usually leading to harm or discomfort for others.
Origin: From “jeer,” meaning to mock or ridicule.
Example: “The jeer-filled atmosphere made it hard to enjoy the performance.”

96. Jerk-Worthy

Meaning: Deserving of being treated like a jerk, often due to disrespectful or harmful behavior.
Origin: From “jerk,” meaning a rude or inconsiderate person.
Example: “His jerk-worthy attitude made him disliked by everyone.”

97. Jinxable

Meaning: Capable of being cursed or bringing bad luck.
Origin: From “jinx,” meaning a bad luck bringer.
Example: “That project was jinxable from the start, as everything seemed to go wrong.”

98. Jeremiad

Meaning: A long, mournful complaint or lament, often about hardship or injustice.
Origin: From the name of the Biblical prophet “Jeremiah,” who delivered warnings of destruction.
Example: “The politician’s jeremiad about the state of the economy lacked any solutions.”

99. Jeer

Meaning: To mock or taunt scornfully.
Origin: From Middle English, “jeren,” meaning to mock or ridicule.
Example: “The crowd jeered as the player missed another shot.”

100. Jelly-Livered

Meaning: Lacking courage or resolve, easily frightened or intimidated.
Origin: From the idea of having a soft or weak liver, symbolizing a lack of strength or fortitude.
Example: “He was too jelly-livered to stand up to the bully.”

101. Jealousy-Driven

Meaning: Motivated by jealousy, leading to harmful actions or feelings.
Origin: From “jealousy,” meaning the feeling of envy or resentment, and “driven,” indicating motivation.
Example: “Her jealousy-driven actions led to the downfall of their friendship.”