jackleg 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjak-ˌleg How to pronounce jackleg (audio)
Definition of jacklegnext
1
as in amateur
being such only for recreation a toolshed that can be built by any jackleg carpenter who's capable of hitting a nail without smashing his thumb

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2
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill he did such a jackleg installation of that door frame that now the door won't shut

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards a jackleg lawyer whose clients consist mainly of drug dealers and child molesters

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jackleg

2 of 2

noun

as in kid
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science you can't rely on a bunch of jacklegs to run your dairy farm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jackleg
  1. amateur
  2. inexperienced
  3. corrupt
  4. kid
  5. degraded
  6. beginner
  7. sick
Adjective
  • Today, professional and amateur teams across the country, including in the Sierra Nevada, saddle up and clip into their skis to take on the skijoring challenge.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
  • According to Barnard, such views have stayed away from the reach of amateur rocketry experiments, as the timing, forces, and recovery have to come into alignment after the vehicle has set off its journey at heavy acceleration during wobbly flight.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of amateur
Adjective
  • Anchored inexperienced defense that allowed 16 goals in 22 games.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Things won’t be at an elite level because this is still a young, inexperienced team.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • Nora was impacted by a corrupt boss and his choice to cover up a crime, which simultaneously tanked her own career ambition.
    — Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The voters repudiated the president in every way, growing tired of his lies, corrupt administration, unqualified Cabinet members, tariffs, needless wars, ongoing inflation, and undignified and boorish behavior.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • Set the scene Set right on Seven Mile Beach, the sprawling Ritz-Carlton property is a playground for global jetsetters, families with older kids, and even celebrated chefs during the hotel’s annual Cayman Cookout.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In it, a young kid traverses New Orleans to fish, goes door to door selling his game, and learns how to drive, among other things.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of kid
Adjective
  • Building codes should reward practices that preserve vegetation, reduce compaction, and restore degraded land.
    — Mark Trebilcock, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In my experience, degraded fluid can sometimes cause clutch chatter, vibration, or a humming noise.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of degraded
Noun
  • This is a great beginner-friendly telescope and comes with a couple of eyepieces to get new users on their skywatching journey.
    — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Eighty percent of the skiers are local, says Linebaugh, and half the runs are expert level, while the other half are well suited for beginners, intermediate, and ski school.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of beginner
Adjective
  • Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Ridly Greig was nursing his own lower-body injury, and Tyler Kleven was too sick to play.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The state’s health department cautions that the true number is most certainly higher because not everyone who gets sick seeks medical care.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of sick
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.

Browse Nearby Words

jackknives
jackleg
jacklegs
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Cite this Entry

“Jackleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jackleg. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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