jitterbug
verb
jitterbugged; jitterbugging; jitterbugs
1
: to dance the jitterbug
2
: to move around or back and forth with quick often jerky movements especially to confuse or disconcert an opponent in sports
Examples of jitterbug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vin Knight is affecting as Leopold Bloom, an anxious outsider in his city, his subconscious, and his leaky body; Scott Shepherd plays multiple roles, but is particularly droll as Blazes Boylan, jitterbugging hornily through Dublin.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Clifton Daniel, for instance, jitterbugged with an expertise that increased one’s respect for The New York Times.
—Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024
Linders says the audience for trad jazz can generally be put into three categories: There are swing dancers who are eager to jitterbug to some hot sounds.
—Noah Schaffer, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
Sanders had an uncanny ability to spin out of, cut back on or jitterbug his way through defenses, and while much of it was an innate trait few running backs in the history of football could match, Rivers said Sanders’ real secret was his ability to analyze defenses.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2022
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Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Clifton Daniel, for instance, jitterbugged with an expertise that increased one’s respect for The New York Times.
—Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024
Linders says the audience for trad jazz can generally be put into three categories: There are swing dancers who are eager to jitterbug to some hot sounds.
—Noah Schaffer, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
Sanders had an uncanny ability to spin out of, cut back on or jitterbug his way through defenses, and while much of it was an innate trait few running backs in the history of football could match, Rivers said Sanders’ real secret was his ability to analyze defenses.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for jitterbug
Cite this Entry
“Jitterbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jitterbug. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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