Meaning & use
rigged
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“rigged” is a form of “rig”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Secretly arranged so that the result is dishonest and decided in advance.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun or after a verb: a rigged election; the game was rigged.
Patterns
- a rigged election
- the game is rigged
Many people believed the election was rigged.
He claimed the contest was rigged in favor of the judge's friend.
The rigged game made sure the visitors would never win.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Fitted with the ropes, sails or equipment a vessel needs to sail.
Grammar: Usually describes a ship with a particular sail arrangement: a square-rigged ship.
Patterns
- fully rigged
- square-rigged
A fully rigged ship sat in the harbor.
The yacht was rigged for racing.
The old schooner is rigged with three masts.
adjectiveafter a verb
Set up with hidden wiring or a trap, so that something happens when touched.
Grammar: Often used with 'to': rigged to explode.
Patterns
- rigged to explode
- rigged with something
The door was rigged to set off an alarm.
The prank bucket was rigged to fall when the door opened.
The car had been rigged with a hidden camera.
Common combinations
- rigged election
- Observers said the rigged election was not free or fair.
- rigged game
- The carnival game was clearly rigged.
- rigged system
- Many people feel the system is rigged against them.
- rigged to explode
- The device was rigged to explode on contact.
- rigged contest
- The rigged contest left honest entrants angry.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fixed
- Fixed is a more common everyday word for a result secretly arranged, especially in sport.
- fraudulent
- Fraudulent is a stronger word for outright deception and usually refers to documents or transactions.
- manipulated
- Manipulated is broader and can describe any controlled outcome or image, not only a contest.
- stacked
- Stacked is informal and suggests the odds were arranged unfairly in advance, as in 'the deck was stacked'.
Opposites
Word family
- rig verb
- to arrange something dishonestly, or to equip a ship
- rigging noun
- the ropes and lines on a ship; also the act of cheating a vote
- rigger noun
- a worker who sets up equipment or rigging
- bid-rigging noun
- illegally fixing the bidding for a contract
Commonly confused: rigged or ragged? rigged or rugged?
rigged vs ragged
Ragged means torn or uneven, while rigged means secretly arranged or fitted out.
rigged vs rugged
Rugged describes rough ground or a tough person, and does not relate to cheating.
Practice
Which meaning of 'rigged' fits: 'The raffle was rigged, so the mayor's cousin won every year.'?
Choose one answer.
A rigged raffle is one secretly fixed so that a chosen person wins, which is the dishonest sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rigged”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.