juggling act

noun

plural juggling acts
: an attempt to handle or deal with two or more things (such as obligations) at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements
The movie portrays Howard's life as a perpetual juggling act between family and work.Linda Civitello
Finishing the mashed potatoes at the same time as the roast, the gravy, and the green beans can become quite a juggling act.Cook's Illustrated
Most of all, a certain balance has to be found between stealth, gunplay and action. … It's difficult for a movie to pull that juggling act off, let alone a game.Ross Adams

Examples of juggling act in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With no cords to trip over, cleaning will feel a lot less like a juggling act. Toni Sutton, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Tariffs, oil, and uneasy handshakes India’s juggling act on the world stage has never looked more complicated, or more consequential. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025 Harper sees her mom's juggling act as a failure. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 For Kimberly’s family, without a home or a car, the time spent trying to get out of their current situation is a constant juggling act. Christie Zizo, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025 Corn on the cob is a beloved summer side dish, but buttering it at the table can turn into a messy juggling act. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025 School budgeting is a complex juggling act that often leaves superintendents walking a tightrope between financial constraints and public demands. Frank Ricci, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 A day spent in her company, from 7 a.m. to midnight, offers a glimpse into an increasingly complex juggling act. Ellen Barry, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juggling act was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Juggling act.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juggling%20act. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

juggling act

noun
: an attempt to handle or deal with two or more things (such as tasks) at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!