as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
okay, buster, the jig is up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to fidget
to make jerky or restless movements
the mother could tell that her little boy had to use the bathroom because he was jigging
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 jig
Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
One diary entry details an ironing board and a winter coat shuffling out of a closet to dance a jig with a TV tray.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In the middle of the party, an accordion player jigged among a group of young, unsteady revelers, rapping to the beat like an agitated auctioneer.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jig
Noun
Nunn provided derby participants with details on favorable trout rigs and bait, including Carolina rigs, PowerBait, mini jigs and spinners.
—Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
One diary entry details an ironing board and a winter coat shuffling out of a closet to dance a jig with a TV tray.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The fang gang present themselves as yearning European folk enthusiasts and later as jigging fiends and sometime metalheads.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In the middle of the party, an accordion player jigged among a group of young, unsteady revelers, rapping to the beat like an agitated auctioneer.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jig
Noun
-
In order to ensure the ruse is never uncovered, the twins swap places regularly, sharing equal parts — both good and bad — of each other's everyday lives.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Carreyrou acknowledged an obvious objection to this thesis—that there is a lengthy paper trail of Back corresponding with Satoshi—but explains it away by saying that Back was actually writing to himself as part of an elaborate ruse to throw would-be unmaskers off the trail.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When fastened, the zippers are locked in place, and pickpockets would have to fidget for a moment to get the gadget undone, giving you time to react.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The design was inspired by the hair-tearing boredom of COVID lockdown-era remote work, a time in which Knafs founder Ben Petersen maintained sanity during Zoom calls by fidgeting around with pocket knives and doodling pictures.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gentry’s lean frame limits his play strength, and the role fit will vary wildly depending on the scheme, but going to tempt creative coaching staffs.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The players were not aware that they were being used as part of the scheme, officials said.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With a little encouragement, and after a bit of sake, Isa Briones will pull out her party trick at karaoke.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The trick is to hydrate earlier in the day and cut fluids at least an hour before bed, to make sure you’re not woken up by multiple trips to the bathroom.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Also for the first time, players can wear data-collecting portable devices on court in order to gain information on their physical performances, tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said at a news conference on Thursday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Lee Scott Wygal Ralston, 37, is facing 32 felony counts of manufacturing a destructive device and 32 counts of possession of a destructive device.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another day, as Mom loads the children into the car, Jeremy tosses a basketball against the house, again and again, his passive aggression registering through the ball’s unyielding thuds and his own frozen gaze.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Both threw a pair of touchdowns, and Philo tossed a couple of picks.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jig. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
