shenanigan

noun

she·nan·i·gan shə-ˈna-ni-gən

Synonyms of shenanigan next

: a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose

: tricky or questionable practices or conduct

—usually used in plural

: high-spirited or mischievous activity

—usually used in plural

Did you know?

The history of shenanigan is as tricky and mischievous as its meaning. Etymologists have some theories about its origins, but no one has been able to prove them. All we can say for certain is that the earliest known uses of the word in print appeared in the mid-1800s. Although the "underhanded trick" sense of the word is oldest, the most common senses in use now are "tricky or questionable practices" (as in "political shenanigans") and "high-spirited behavior" (as in "youthful shenanigans").

Examples of shenanigan in a Sentence

students engaging in youthful shenanigans on the last day of school an act of vandalism that went way beyond the usual shenanigans at summer camp

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Late in Season One, she is suspended for allowing various bits of innie shenanigans, notably Helly’s suicide attempt. —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025 The New Age After more than a year of courtroom shenanigans, the YSL trial finally ends. —

Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile Seth Meyers is blessing Jost’s shenanigans with a big smile like the Sun Baby from Teletubbies. —

Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024 For all his off-field shenanigans, the 41-year-old ranks as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game. —

Chris Branch, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shenanigan