shenanigan

noun

shə-ˈna-ni-gən How to pronounce shenanigan (audio)
Definition of shenanigannext
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

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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

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 shenanigan Follow the money: The stock market, for one, is tiring of such shenanigans. — Felix Salmon, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025 The innate sweetness of the series carries it past figurative and literal rapids and into shenanigans involving bear carvings, a bear temple in the mountains, and a secret bear community. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025 One nerdy aspect to watch out for come July: Sign-and-trade shenanigans with Marvin Bagley’s $12.5 million expiring contract. — John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 The office, a symbolic province of the elderly, has become a particularly exciting backdrop for youthful shenanigans. — Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
  1. mischief
  2. ruse
  3. misconduct
  4. scheme
  5. tomfoolery
  6. trick
  7. buffoonery
  8. horseplay
Noun
  • As a mother of three, Kathy is positivity with a dose of mischief, and a bit of mysticism to keep things interesting.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • John Connaughton, 51, is facing charges of felony battery, criminal mischief and two counts of aggravated assault, according to court records.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • This is, of course, a ruse to put Rick in the same room with Jim, who, according to his mother on her deathbed, killed his do-gooder dad.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Frank This character doing all the heavy lifting to keep Rick’s ruse afloat and Sam Rockwell doing all the heavy lifting to keep this plot interesting: Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Instead, each case involved egregious misconduct, including the wholesale fabrication of news stories.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Lost in Translation actor discussed the allegation of inappropriate misconduct that led to production halting Aziz Ansari's unfinished film Being Mortal and, later, an investigation.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • Detectives arrested a man accused in a lottery ticket stealing scheme that netted him and a partner thousands of dollars in winnings, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • His chief adviser was also charged in state court with taking part in a separate bribery scheme.
    — Jan Ransom, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Another aspect to note is that the AI didn’t ridicule me or otherwise play any tomfoolery about my need for assistance.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • This isn't the first case of April Fools' tomfoolery from BabyQuip.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of tomfoolery
Noun
  • Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Other styling tricks included whimsical touches on simplified outfits such as oversized scarves, bag charms, layered belts, fur accessories and extravagant strands of pearls.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • His is a sort of erudite buffoonery that consistently tap-dances between clever, self-aware, and patently stupid.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • There is, in fact, real stagecraft along with the buffoonery.
    — Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • The action anime feature for everyone who couldn’t get enough of the horseplay in The Two Towers has finally cantered onto Max.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Mike Vrabel’s back And the horseplay is going to stop, apparently.
    — Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 11 Feb. 2025
Definition of horseplay

Browse Nearby Words

shelvings
shenanigan
shenanigans
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“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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