JIGGERY-POKERY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

jiggery-pokery

noun

ˈji-gər-ē-ˈpō-kər-ē

Definition of jiggery-pokery

as in deception

the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end the judge ordered the corporation to hand over all records, with no jiggery-pokery about unexpected problems and missing information

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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 jiggery-pokery This panel, employing some projection jiggery-pokery and likely some mirrors, projects Lucky into the space as a 3D hologram. — John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026 The point is that the Constitution says that Congress has the sole power to decide what the country spends on, and with a bit of jiggery-pokery, this court let all the air out of those words. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jiggery-pokery

Noun

Prevention of fraud, deception and public accountability are reasons given for this suggestion.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
As the investigation unfolded, what initially appeared to be a daring ransom scheme evolved into a complex story of obsession, deception, and unexpected motives.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Football is all about engaño (trickery) — looking one way and passing the other, feinting to go left and swiftly moving right, manipulating the opposition and tricking them to open up those little spaces.

— Xavi, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro have stretched defenses from the flanks, while Lamine Yamal has confused them with his trickery.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026

Definition of trickery

Noun

The subterfuge involved him stowing away in an airport catering container to sneak onto the jet.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
The sophistication of model subterfuge that OpenAI has now disclosed, combined with OpenAI’s inability to detect or stop the hacking, suggests far worse could be to come.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of subterfuge

Noun

For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of treachery

Noun

There are no federal protections against this skullduggery, and only 10 states have enacted dedicated statutes to combat the problem, according to Equity Protect.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
Few would begrudge Paraguay this recognition, but the skullduggery did produce eye-rolls and requires stronger officiating.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of skulduggery

Noun

In some ways, that depends on whether the agent eventually learns guile, and social gamesmanship, or not.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Some of that gamesmanship occurred when former Orange County Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro tried to profit from the SIBTF program by forming a company to write and submit medical reports for applicants.

— Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 16 July 2026

Definition of gamesmanship

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

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jiggers

jiggery-pokery

jigging

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“Jiggery-pokery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jiggery-pokery. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of jiggery-pokery

noun

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