variants also rigamarole
as in gobbledegook
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

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 rigmarole Love the idea of falling asleep under the stars with a fresh breeze, but not so keen on the whole rigmarole of setting up a tent, digging a hole when nature calls, and sacrificing creature comforts like a luxury mattress or a coffee machine? Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 2 Sep. 2023 Cons: The rigmarole of being asked to choose a text, make a rubbing from it and then name a preferred brand of freedom, all before being allowed to sound the big bell, is gilding the lily. Blake Gopnik, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2023 Recently, the mainline games have felt like hollow copies of the original generation’s charm and soul, introducing new concepts that are subsequently thrown away in sequels and putting players through the same, repetitive rigmarole on the way to becoming a champion. Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2021 Spare yourself the rigmarole, reap the benefits. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 12 May 2022 See all Example Sentences for rigmarole 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigmarole
Noun
  • Apologies to the Lois Lane stans out there, but Adams is mostly on hand in these movies to deliver stern gobbledygook (something about isotopes?) and stare at Henry Cavill’s cheekbones.
    Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
  • So, of course, their stony-eyed dedication to taking this inspirational gobbledygook seriously has gone viral.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Because of the rhetoric out there, this is an opportunity for boards to reengage in a discussion on what is our DEI agenda and commitment at a board level, and truly reengage all directors in that conversation.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
  • However, the hostile environment created by anti-Asian rhetoric and violence has stifled their ability to contribute fully.
    John Wang, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This is compounded by the fact that at the center of the black hole lies a singularity, at which point all our laws of physics break down, making gibberish of even our most nuanced and profound achievements in physics.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The pressure of the moment led Ferrell to spurt out total gibberish in his telling — and his flub was so bad that SNL boss Lorne Michaels paid him a visit backstage.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The fans were still roaring for Yamal, making the kind of comparisons in their heads with past Barcelona greats that managers often try to downplay, for fear of inflaming the hype.
    Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The identifiable and larger-than-life character is responsible for bringing the energy and hype to each and every game.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
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
  • There are grand old-fashioned song and dance spectacles but also solo numbers that do fine without any extravagance.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Same old story, same old song and dance for the Wolves.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rigmarole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigmarole. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

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