jig 1 of 2

noun

ˈjig How to pronounce jig (audio)
Definition of jignext
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end okay, buster, the jig is up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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jig

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Upsize your jig trailers, go with a larger worm on your Texas rig, or tie on a full-size topwater plug. — David A. Brown, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026 But a freestyler’s sombrero flick starts with the ball on the floor and requires two touches with the same foot to get it up and over your head, including a little jig in between. — Stuart James, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Verb
Notably, as Eric and Carol were chatting to Sara, BBC Studios was re-jigging its APAC division in order to bring Australia and Asia under one roof. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025 The fang gang present themselves as yearning European folk enthusiasts and later as jigging fiends and sometime metalheads. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jig
  1. ruse
  2. fidget
  3. scheme
  4. twitch
  5. trick
  6. jerk
  7. device
  8. toss
Noun
  • Patterson was accused of pretending to eat the same portion, and of feigning illness in an elaborate ruse to suggest she’d also been poisoned.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The band member responsible for the ruse was their late drummer, Jon Brookes.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruse
Verb
  • Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fidget
Noun
  • Organized crime operations from several cities, including Chicago, New York and Detroit, had established control of casinos up and down the Vegas Strip and devised schemes to skim percentages of the cash under the noses of state regulators.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With Clark next to him in the 3-4 scheme, Williams flashed his strength and short-area quickness from the defensive interior each day in practice while battling against Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of scheme
Verb
  • The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Green said his symptoms began when his feet started twitching in his sleep.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s route to the final, opening his World Cup with a hat-trick against Algeria and scoring in each of his team’s matches up to and including the round of 16.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The key manufacturing trick was direct ink writing, a form of 3D printing.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • But in 1933, within a matter of days, they were jerked back into reality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Stuttering lines, on the left, jerking up and down, denote the rattle of guns; on the right, the lines are all but flat, as silence descends.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Apple's AirTag is among the popular devices that help people find their keys or other items.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • While only about 30% of bikes ridden by Bay Area children are electric, only 12% of those devices fell into one of the three e-bike categories.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of device
Verb
  • Luis Arraez homered, Garrett Stubbs had two hits and an RBI and Aaron Nola tossed seven strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 4-1 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a heatproof bowl and immediately toss with 2 Tbsp.
    — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of toss

Browse Nearby Words

jiffy
jig
jigged
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Cite this Entry

“Jig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jig. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on jig

Nglish: Translation of jig for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jig

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