hanky-panky

noun

ˌhaŋ-kē-ˈpaŋ-kē How to pronounce hanky-panky (audio)
Definition of hanky-pankynext
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end had to resort to a certain amount of hanky-panky to sneak away from the house without his dog seeing him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hanky-panky The screening usually focusses on clandestine hanky-panky, but this season the girls’ irreverence was so abundant that the producers treated them to an unprecedented second viewing night. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 So just to be critical or even open to suspicion of hanky-panky or shenanigans around vaccination is immediately shut down by The New York Times or anybody. — David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025 And Floria most certainly doesn’t indulge in any of the hanky-panky in elevators and storerooms of the kind that the randy staffers in Grey’s Anatomy wallow in. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2025 But there was no hanky-panky, and in fact the two couples had dinner together every week for two years after Dirty Dancing wrapped. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024 On my ride with Boaz and Javadi, a Waymo operator suddenly joined us on the audio system, not to inform us that hanky-panky is prohibited, but to say that two passengers did not have their seat belts fastened. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024 Any outlier hanky-panky effort by Republicans would be enjoined by the courts based upon solid precedent. — Jerry Goldfeder, New York Daily News, 24 July 2024 No hanky-panky, no name calling, no twisting of truths, no bull. — Patrick Wallis, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2024 Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on. — Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanky-panky
  1. deception
  2. subterfuge
  3. skulduggery
  4. chicanery
  5. trickery
  6. treachery
  7. gamesmanship
  8. deceptiveness
Noun
  • Camouflage, concealment, and deception Protecting missile infrastructure also depends on preventing an adversary from developing an accurate target list.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
  • The snake charmer is, in effect, a stand-in for Gérôme, whose art relies on seduction and deception.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • The majority sees this as subterfuge.
    — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • The Blacks’ defeat would be certain if not for dragons and subterfuge.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Noun
  • Few would begrudge Paraguay this recognition, but the skullduggery did produce eye-rolls and requires stronger officiating.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • For this skullduggery-stopping potential, the city paid $67,548, which is in the rough ballpark as what your average cop probably makes annually.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 17 June 2026
Definition of skulduggery
Noun
  • But both parties increasingly justify the chicanery, because the stakes of winning elections and keeping power are simply too high.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
  • There’s a tremendous amount of financial chicanery that goes on in 2026.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026
Definition of chicanery
Noun
  • Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro have stretched defenses from the flanks, while Lamine Yamal has confused them with his trickery.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
  • Still, if any one of them did start — plus rotational options of Desire Doue or Cherki — then England’s defence will need to stay on high alert for runs in behind and trickery in wide areas.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of trickery
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • The Manchester City star is fully back to his 2024 Ballon d’Or-winning self, marshaling the middle, providing amazing connection between the front and back and even annoying the French players with some gamesmanship near the end.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • For 70 minutes, Paraguay had played with corseted restraint, frustrating France with organisation, concentration and no little gamesmanship.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of gamesmanship
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness

Browse Nearby Words

hanks
hanky-panky
hansom
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Cite this Entry

“Hanky-panky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanky-panky. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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