variants
also rigamarole
as in gobbledygook
language marked by abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions
the security guard gave me some kind of rigmarole about passes and authorizations
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigmarole
A little rigmarole for much rejuvenescence.
—
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
This leads to a chaotic rigmarole in which, bit by bit, the Hungarian mobsters stream downstairs to either take advantage of the girls or do away with them, forcing them to rely on their discipline and athletic training to mount a response.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Now, there’s a bit of rigmarole in getting that price, which includes (according to Google Translate) nabbing a time-specific coupon worth $286 and trading in your old phone.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The victors of Iraqi elections often enter a familiar rigmarole of bargaining and deal-making to form the largest parliamentary alliance and put a government in place.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigmarole
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
This leads to a chaotic rigmarole in which, bit by bit, the Hungarian mobsters stream downstairs to either take advantage of the girls or do away with them, forcing them to rely on their discipline and athletic training to mount a response.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Now, there’s a bit of rigmarole in getting that price, which includes (according to Google Translate) nabbing a time-specific coupon worth $286 and trading in your old phone.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The victors of Iraqi elections often enter a familiar rigmarole of bargaining and deal-making to form the largest parliamentary alliance and put a government in place.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigmarole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigmarole
Noun
-
This dumbed-down Goebbels gobbledygook revived talking points that Habermas had tried to quash during the Historikerstreit.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
But at least some of it was gobbledygook.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
However, the website of the pro-cap campaign appears to draw on anti-Muslim rhetoric to make its case.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
And despite the Education Department’s rhetoric, borrowers are still getting their student loans discharged.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
On Saturday Night Live, host Will Ferrell and musical guest Paul McCartney played a couple of gibberish-speaking mechanics who end up taking some naive car owners for a ride.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
-
And these worlds aren’t even real, just ones and zeros merged to form a network of communication that sometimes feels like incoherent gibberish.—
Brandon Kaipo Moningka,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
United States Women’s National Team attacker Ally Sentnor came to the Kansas City Current in August with much hype and fanfare.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
No matter what the hype, candles, sonic devices, and bracelets don’t keep mosquitoes away.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Driving the news: The statement was published only in English on the Facebook page of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office — potentially another case of double-talk by Netanyahu.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
27 Sep. 2024
-
The GOP Senate candidate in Arizona, whose brand is a combative, never-back-down MAGA politics, has adopted a position on the issue that is nearly indistinguishable from that of double-talking Democrats.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2024
Noun
-
Also on stage was Danielle Brooks, who MCed the evening and performed a knockout song and dance number.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
3 May 2026
-
Yet, this lovable kids' series continues to teach positive messages through song and dance to this day.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigmarole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigmarole. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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