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 Luis Arraez is familiar with the song and dance of the trade deadline. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 July 2026 Feelings from optimism to selfishness to lust are all neatly captured with song and dance. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 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 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
  • Others have felt personally attacked by Kennedy’s anti-establishment rhetoric.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Galliano berated a French couple with antisemitic and anti-Asian rhetoric in February 2011, which led to his conviction.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 31 Aug. 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
  • San Francisco is often characterized by its hype and unbridled enthusiasm around AI, but Frosst says there’s an openness to friendly debate in Toronto that feels unique.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Like several of the prospects acquired, the production hasn’t yet matched the hype.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hype
Noun
  • Dozens of countries’ names were misspelled or written in pure gibberish.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of other countries' names were misspelled or written in pure gibberish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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