jury-rigged 1 of 2

adjective

as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed a jury-rigged system for supplying the town's water while the main pumping station is being repaired

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jury-rigged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of jury-rig
as in patched (together)
to make or assemble roughly or hastily we jury-rigged shelves out of cartons and crates until we could afford real furniture

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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 jury-rigged
Verb
On the wooden battlements of Tumbleton — designed to look like they were jury-rigged by Ormund’s army — the episode’s director, Andrij Parekh, is going through footage where Roddy’s crew breaks through the town’s defensive walls. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Young people today have a real hunger for interesting, honest stuff that doesn’t feel jury-rigged to make a ton of money. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026 The trade between the periphery and the core was jury-rigged to favor the latter. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jury-rigged
  1. clumsy
  2. rough
  3. rude
  4. flawed
  5. imperfect
Adjective
  • As Ivan and Nina wrestle with their own emotional truths, which range from her mother Nora’s departure from their lives to Ivan’s clumsy recitations of Nina’s childhood antics, something alarming is afoot.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Here, his clumsy, winky, affected, and self-undercutting direction can’t even work the charming Jenna Ortega to a great performance, as her Klara is flattened into a bundle of manic pixie mannerisms both physical and verbal.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • An Australian man survived more than two months lost at sea in 2023 with his dog Bella after rough seas damaged their boat and its electronics system.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • However, neither rating guarantees that a folding screen or hinge will survive years of rough treatment.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Rosie Campbell, Managing Director of Eleos AI Research, a nonprofit dedicated to understanding and addressing the potential well-being of AI, said that some other studies have even shown that rude questions can actually improve results.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Others have seized on comments he’s made about the event, such as calling attendees rude or casting town halls as dangerous.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • Many in Serbia believe that the concrete canopy crashed because of flawed renovation work caused by corruption and negligence that prevailed in major state infrastructure projects championed by Vucic's government.
    — MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Jackson County used flawed property value assessments, inadequately notified taxpayers, conducted substandard inspections and had poor oversight, according to a scathing report from Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of flawed
Adjective
  • Mike reflected on their imperfect journey together and expressed his gratitude for Lauren’s unwavering love and support.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Physicians already make decisions by combining an imperfect history, physical examination, vital signs, laboratory results, and response to treatment.
    — Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, Time, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of imperfect

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Cite this Entry

“Jury-rigged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jury-rigged. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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