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
  • There’s a fun bit when Green pulls her badge to walk Reacher out through the police cordon, pretending to have placed him under arrest, but the ruse doesn’t last long.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • While Simmons’ offensive scheme helped unlock FIU’s ground game last season, quarterbacks Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for 13 interceptions.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scheme
Verb
  • The 5-11, 210-pounder is a sudden cutter who runs with power and twitch, attacking space like a great punt returner.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 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
  • In complementary work, the POWERlab developed multi-channel GaN devices that spread current across several conduction paths, lowering resistance and reducing overheating.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Emergency workers continued to extinguish fires and identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, Zelenskyy added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of device
Verb
  • To add to the playfulness, beach balls were also tossed about during up-tempo songs.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Roast for 20 minutes, then toss the vegetables and carefully flip the chicken.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on jig

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jig

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