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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joking
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
So dust off your green gear and let the shenanigans begin!
—
Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
So was Representative Pete Sessions, a congressman who has developed something of a reputation over the years for his connections to Big Oil and his alleged willingness to get involved in overseas shenanigans.
—Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
There are a multitude of absurd high jinks and shenanigans (really the only words applicable here) that lead to Greg's decision to stay and inevitably fill each episode.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
In his latest mock, Sam gives us a full two rounds of picks, using the draft order without any lottery shenanigans in the mix.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
So was Representative Pete Sessions, a congressman who has developed something of a reputation over the years for his connections to Big Oil and his alleged willingness to get involved in overseas shenanigans.
—Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
There are a multitude of absurd high jinks and shenanigans (really the only words applicable here) that lead to Greg's decision to stay and inevitably fill each episode.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
In his latest mock, Sam gives us a full two rounds of picks, using the draft order without any lottery shenanigans in the mix.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
Brendon pleaded guilty for criminal mischief.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Paul was arrested following the 2023 incident depicted in the video on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Who is the ‘hero,’ the person who is not in on the ruse?—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to Hartman, the board found that the evidence showed police misconduct had occurred.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Van Dyke was previously charged with six counts of first-degree murder as well as and one count of official misconduct.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Jazz are 15-35, which puts them at the sixth pick if zero lottery-ball tomfoolery happens.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But enough of all that tomfoolery, because there is one person on the beach who knows exactly what is about to happen!—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The scheme involved thousands of dummy servers, according to the indictment.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutors have called the Feeding Our Future scheme the largest pandemic fraud case in the country.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If your complexion feels dry or irritated, any Illiyoon product or treatment will pretty much do the trick.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
-
To help break down how to apply mascara correctly, Gray shares her best methods and tricks.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Receivers have cratered seasons with me-over-we buffoonery.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
His comic material, drawn mainly from perceptive observations of everyday life, might not be broad enough buffoonery for the movies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
