1
as in mischief
usually shenanigans plural
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
students engaging in youthful shenanigans on the last day of school
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hijinks
usually shenanigans plural
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
an act of vandalism that went way beyond the usual shenanigans at summer camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
the street-corner huckster of pirated DVDs had all sorts of shenanigans to keep the cops off of his tail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shenanigan
His misadventures and shenanigans are of a more lighthearted variety. ...
—
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Life, at is most inconspicuously precious, is built from truck-stop ice creams, sing-alongs to a treasured tune and underwater shenanigans at a budget hotel pool, not from grand gestures.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
The Legally Blonde actor, who dated Barrymore from 1996 until 1998, found himself getting unexpectedly swept up in the actresses’ shenanigans when Barrymore attempted to prank him during Hudson's visit to the show in January 2023.
—EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
After a succession of prime ministers and parliamentary shenanigans, Anwar has managed to lead a coalition government since Nov. 2022.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune Asia, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shenanigan 
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Life, at is most inconspicuously precious, is built from truck-stop ice creams, sing-alongs to a treasured tune and underwater shenanigans at a budget hotel pool, not from grand gestures.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
The Legally Blonde actor, who dated Barrymore from 1996 until 1998, found himself getting unexpectedly swept up in the actresses’ shenanigans when Barrymore attempted to prank him during Hudson's visit to the show in January 2023.
—EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
After a succession of prime ministers and parliamentary shenanigans, Anwar has managed to lead a coalition government since Nov. 2022.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune Asia, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
Jabbari was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and criminal mischief, but the Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute the case against Jabbari, citing a lack of prosecutorial merit.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The juvenile in Canada was charged with indecent communications, uttering threats, public mischief and mischief over $5,000.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Matty, for her part, isn’t worried about getting in any real trouble if her ruse is uncovered.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2025
-
But some of the writers fell for the alleged ruse, which eventually involved the literary agent from a company called PageTurner Press & Media asking for advance payments for services such as book insurance, hiring editors to help update the book or hiring publicists to promote it.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Peltier has maintained his innocence and his case has been plagued with allegations of trial misconduct, conflicting testimonies, withheld evidence and potential bias among jurors.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Despite numerous allegations, Spacey has been legally cleared of misconduct in two separate trials in the U.S. and the U.K.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When Tony White left after the regular season for Florida State, Nebraska lost a defensive tactician and a coordinator who brought an effective scheme to the Blackshirts.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
-
What’s needed now are more flexible funding schemes and opportunities that will allow Latvian productions to be competitive on the global market.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Another aspect to note is that the AI didn’t ridicule me or otherwise play any tomfoolery about my commentary.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
A little tomfoolery never hurt anybody, and there's been a lot between Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Sidney Crosby and Minnesota Wild Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Each month Kendra hosts a real-life get-together in her apartment, then passes her expert game plan along to you: the menu, the grocery and prep lists, and all her tips and tricks.—
Kendra Vaculin,
Bon Appétit,
11 Feb. 2025
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If the fashion on the sidelines wasn't enough to hype up attendees, a lively dance performance to kick off the runway show did the trick.—
Anika Reed,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There are no gilded gates here, but there is one heck of a party, complete with serenading busts, ballroom dancers, excitable opera singers, drunken buffoonery and portraits locked in an endless duel.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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What’s so special about Britain’s patron wanker of bighearted buffoonery?—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And yes, there were cases on public roads where the horseplay turned dangerous.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
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On my gondola, however, horseplay is not only encouraged, it is required.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
24 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shenanigan
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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