as in rigamarole
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
Relevance
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
The return was commemorated in ceremonies of song and dance, accompanied by roasted pigs, by locals.
—
Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Every song and dance on Dancing With the Stars season 33
Armstrong's response seemed to partly stem from the immense amount of pressure that Kinney placed on herself, having earned perfect scores for both of her dances during last week's 500th episode.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
There was also a song and dance number about the contenders’ notoriously long running times, as well as an appearance by a hoodie-wearing Adam Sandler.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Every song and dance on Dancing With the Stars season 33
Armstrong's response seemed to partly stem from the immense amount of pressure that Kinney placed on herself, having earned perfect scores for both of her dances during last week's 500th episode.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
There was also a song and dance number about the contenders’ notoriously long running times, as well as an appearance by a hoodie-wearing Adam Sandler.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for song and dance
Noun
-
Despite the current rhetoric, there seems to be rare agreement on addressing what many believe is a high-stakes issue.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
However, given the increase in nuclear rhetoric coming from Moscow since Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022—coupled with the launch of Russian and Chinese satellites—NATO's concerns about security challenges in space are increasing.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Even with all of the fees and rigmarole that entails.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Editors’ Picks Our Favorite Bathrooms Kermit has been through the graduation rigmarole before.—
Callie Holtermann,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As always, Yellowjackets is full of mind-bending detours, supernatural gobbledygook, and foliage-laden costumes.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Furtado, with a similar penchant for stretching out vowels and embracing gibberish, does the same with Elliott here, at times shrill but still compelling. 73.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
-
But at the heart of it is an army of armchair scientists tapping into the unknown, shattering relaxation boundaries and spewing gibberish all in the hopes that someone out there will tingle.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share