jiggery-pokery

noun

ˈji-gər-ē-ˈpō-kər-ē How to pronounce jiggery-pokery (audio)
Definition of jiggery-pokerynext
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end the judge ordered the corporation to hand over all records, with no jiggery-pokery about unexpected problems and missing information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jiggery-pokery The point is that the Constitution says that Congress has the sole power to decide what the country spends on, and with a bit of jiggery-pokery, this court let all the air out of those words. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 This panel, employing some projection jiggery-pokery and likely some mirrors, projects Lucky into the space as a 3D hologram. — John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jiggery-pokery
  1. deception
  2. trickery
  3. chicanery
  4. subterfuge
  5. treachery
  6. skulduggery
  7. gamesmanship
  8. deceptiveness
Noun
  • Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments.
    — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Alleged privacy breaches include voicemail interception, phone hacking and obtaining personal information through deception.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • West said Eisner was particularly delighted with the stage trickery that allowed a child actor to be seen as Chip, a teacup.
    — Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
  • The absolute key to France’s attack is the telepathic understanding brewing between Mbappé and Olise, whose combined trickery and close control are in perfect harmony.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of trickery
Noun
  • There’s a tremendous amount of financial chicanery that goes on in 2026.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026
  • Not many people, however, concluded that financial chicanery at executive level should be used as a stick with which to beat the players and coaches who had won those trophies over the years in question.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Definition of chicanery
Noun
  • The majority sees this as subterfuge.
    — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • The Blacks’ defeat would be certain if not for dragons and subterfuge.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • Once there, a combination of Messi’s genius, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s larger-than-life performances, a well-balanced team, and — it must be said — some unsavoury moments of skullduggery by several players, helped Argentina battle their way to the final against defending champions France.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • For this skullduggery-stopping potential, the city paid $67,548, which is in the rough ballpark as what your average cop probably makes annually.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 17 June 2026
Definition of skulduggery
Noun
  • This includes less dangerous fouls and gamesmanship such as time-wasting and diving.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 21 June 2026
  • Gerry was not alone among the Founders in opposing such political gamesmanship.
    — Frederic J. Fransen, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
Definition of gamesmanship
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness

Browse Nearby Words

jiggers
jiggery-pokery
jigging
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Cite this Entry

“Jiggery-pokery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jiggery-pokery. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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