Rigmarole

A lengthy and complicated procedure, set of rules, or activity, typically one that is considered unnecessary or tedious. It often involves a series of meaningless actions or words, causing delay or confusion. The term suggests a convoluted and often frustrating process, highlighting its excessive complexity and lack of practical value. rigmarole can apply to bureaucratic processes, formal ceremonies, or any situation where unnecessary steps prolong a task or conversation. It's characterized by its repetitive nature, leading to a sense of annoyance or exasperation. Its essence lies in its unnecessary embellishment and complexity.

Rigmarole meaning with examples

• The loan application was a complete rigmarole, requiring us to submit the same documents multiple times and fill out endless forms. The bank's convoluted process took weeks to complete. I found myself wading through pages and pages of fine print that never came to any resolution, or any benefit. My frustration was complete.
• Before starting the project, we had to navigate the company's bureaucratic rigmarole. The approval process took weeks, as we followed a complex procedure that seemed designed to obstruct progress, from one department to another, leaving us at the bottom of a bottomless pit.
• The wedding ceremony descended into a ridiculous rigmarole with endless vows, readings, and symbolic gestures. I was left wondering how much longer the couple and everyone would be forced to do.
• Trying to fix the computer problem was an utter rigmarole. The troubleshooting steps offered by customer service involved a series of pointless commands that ultimately did nothing to solve the issue, it only aggravated the system. This took me 10 days.
• The government's new tax regulations were a complex rigmarole of convoluted rules and restrictions. Understanding how to comply with these complex procedures proved to be nearly impossible for many taxpayers. The system became chaotic and unusable.