song and dance

noun

Definition of song and dancenext
as in rhetoric
language marked by abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions instead of simply denying our request, the mayor's representative gave us a song and dance about legal issues and municipal liability

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 song and dance When the divine Miss C proves incompetent at song and dance, the show hurtles towards the present, in a premiere overstuffed with timely references (COVID) and fan-pleasing guest stars (Fran Drescher). — Judy Berman, Time, 17 Mar. 2026 Before long, smitten cast members, including Sarah Sherman and a cameraman wearing an I (Heart) Harry shirt who kept focusing on Styles, proved too much for Gosling, who called off a big song and dance number featuring most of the cast in silver space attire. — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Not his first blockbuster deal This isn’t Gore’s first time doing the song and dance of being traded. — Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 22 Jan. 2026 Just stop with this whole song and dance between Kuminga and Steve Kerr. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for song and dance
  1. rhetoric
  2. rigmarole
  3. gobbledygook
  4. hype
  5. gibberish
  6. double-talk
Noun
  • Now, the rhetoric has expanded beyond the candidates themselves, pulling Scholten — who is not running for governor — into the political crossfire.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026
  • In other words, Lander did not feel the need to appease the Zionist mob by softening his rhetoric.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of rhetoric
Noun
  • And the rigmarole of international travel is a very good reason.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Alternatives were mooted, such as filming in England, but flying all the crew from Poland, and their associated visa requirements, would have added to the rigmarole.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of 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
Definition of gobbledygook
Noun
  • Audiences have taken note of the hype around these screens, many of which are fully booked for weeks.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 July 2026
  • Picking a beach club by its pasta instead of its sunbeds sounds excessive, but in Italy, a pasta dish worth the hype can do this to someone.
    — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of hype
Noun
  • Once talkies came into play, though, the Minions — who can only communicate with each other in nonsensical gibberish — quickly find themselves out of work.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • With its collaborations now stretching to Japan, via Nintendo, a globalization defines Illumination — fitting given the international word salad gibberish of the Minions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Definition of gibberish
Noun
  • Pat Paulsen, a master of dry wit, delivered droll, double-talk editorials on social issues before mounting a presidential campaign in 1968 with the Straight Talkin’ American Government (STAG) Party.
    — Fred A. Bernstein, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023
  • What new form of narrative, what gory amalgam of truth and spectacle, what double-talking rough beast approaches?
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2023
Definition of double-talk

Browse Nearby Words

song
song and dance
songbook
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Cite this Entry

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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