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
The video, created by Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner and her frequent collaborator Adam Kolodny, features some shenanigans in the woods: ATVs, zip lining, and a rifle.
—
Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Whereas his social channels used to be plastered with drunken shenanigans, Summit now posts a lot about exercising.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
But those grudges took a backseat after some strategy shenanigans went on once Vula lost the immunity challenge.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025
The parade has become an annual occurrence in the neighborhood and comes with some shenanigans as suggested by the name of the krewe that puts it on.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Whereas his social channels used to be plastered with drunken shenanigans, Summit now posts a lot about exercising.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
But those grudges took a backseat after some strategy shenanigans went on once Vula lost the immunity challenge.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025
The parade has become an annual occurrence in the neighborhood and comes with some shenanigans as suggested by the name of the krewe that puts it on.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
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There’s something about these wordless intuitive bonds, full of mischief and love, that feel like magic.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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Nelson was charged with explosives or incendiary devices use during felony, criminal mischief and criminal attempt to commit a Class 3 felony, authorities said.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Shane Millan admitted to forcing several women to expose their chest with the ruse of checking for tattoos A U.S. Border Patrol agent has admitted to forcing several migrant women to expose their breasts while processing their paperwork during their entry into the country in 2023.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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The idea of doctors posing as podcasters to make men more suggestible is already a winner, but the language the doctors employ to complete the ruse ratchets up the comedy.—
Joe Berkowitz,
Vulture,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Despite early reports of abuse, the district allegedly failed to act, allowing Yeh to continue his misconduct until his conviction on 17 felony counts of child molestation, according to the lawsuit.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Peltier’s attorneys and supporters would wage a decades-long battle through appeals, writs and petitions to circuit courts, federal courts, the U.S. Supreme Court and three U.S. presidents, alleging numerous incidents of misconduct by the FBI in Peltier’s case.—
Tom White,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The military declares martial law in the town as Daniels and his fellow scientists race to develop a cure, even as the nefarious McClintock schemes to bomb Cedar Creek to smithereens to contain the virus.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
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The White Van is a kinetic heist thriller following a troubled young woman who is lured into a criminal scheme that leaves her wanted for bank robbery and hunted by a corrupt cop who doesn’t want justice – but wants the money for himself.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Venerable baby boomer Kevin Bacon plays the titular bounty hunter Hub Halloran, a proud Georgia man with little tolerance for tomfoolery and a hatred of the Red Sox.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
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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,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This chip also drives many of the phone's artificial intelligence features, and allows the Pixel 9a to take advantage of all the same AI camera tricks introduced on the Pixel 9 smartphones in 2024.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
19 Mar. 2025
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This epic contest showcases talented children in various disciplines, from dance and singing to magic tricks.—
Ximena Nunez,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But through the lens of director Bong’s twisted sense of humor, that buffoonery comes from somewhere dark.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
6 Mar. 2025
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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
Noun
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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
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Key speeches are faithfully delivered to an audience of two, not thousands; a scene of soldiers destructively revelling on a bridge is given a different spirit by ironic, out-of-time horseplay.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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