shenanigan

noun she·nan·i·gan \ shə-ˈna-ni-gən \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: shenanigan in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of shenanigan

1 : a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose

2 a : tricky or questionable practices or conduct —usually used in plural

b : high-spirited or mischievous activity —usually used in plural

shenanigan was our Word of the Day on 06/09/2018. Hear the podcast!

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 of shenanigan from the Web

Kate, in a $69.90 Zara dress (no doubt on its way to being sold out), looked on throughout, appearing quite relaxed and enjoying the shenanigans.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Princess Charlotte Dons Sunglasses and Prince George Plays with a Slinky in Surprising New Photos," 11 June 2018
For 12 years after the shenanigans at Shinnecock Hills, the average winning score at the U.S. Open was 2.25-under par, and that included Rory McIlroy’s record 16-under at Congressional in 2011.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "USGA says No. 7 at Shinnecock won't happen in this year's U.S. Open. But what will? | Marcus Hayes," 22 May 2018
At least, according to Vanity Fair, which reported that there were some shenanigans to speak of at the rather rowdy wedding reception for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

— shannon carlin, refinery29.com, "The Royal Reception Included Beer Pong, Tequila & George Clooney Dancing With Meghan & Kate," 21 May 2018
Some members of X-Force have already been highlighted in the film’s trailers, but those quick two-minute clips don’t reveal that the X-Force shenanigans make up some of the film's strongest moments.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "Deadpool 2 proves the first movie was no fluke," 15 May 2018
Thompson directed the pleasantly nutty shenanigans.

— james powers, The Hollywood Reporter, "'What a Way to Go!': THR's 1964 Review," 13 May 2018
The show was inspired by the shenanigans at once influential Atlanta top 40 station 790/WQXI-AM (Quixie in Dixie).

— jeffrey k.claeson, AJC.com, "Creator of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Hugh Wilson has passed away," 16 Jan. 2018
Add Raven's son Booker's newly discovered visions of the future to the mix and the shenanigans will never cease! 2.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "10 Best TV Shows of 2017," 15 Dec. 2017
Do any of these shenanigans actually impact the way voters vote?

— scott feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmys: Network Stunts Get Bigger in Bid to Catch Voters' Attention in Peak TV Era," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shenanigan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 use of the word in print appeared in the April 25, 1855, issue of San Francisco's Town Talk. 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").