monkeyshine

noun

ˈməŋ-kē-ˌshīn How to pronounce monkeyshine (audio)
Definition of monkeyshinenext
1
as in buffoonery
usually monkeyshines plural wildly playful or mischievous behavior hockey players who are known for their monkeyshines on and off the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in trick
usually monkeyshines plural a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke on the alert for paleontological monkeyshines ever since the unmasking of Piltdown man

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkeyshine
  1. buffoonery
  2. trick
  3. horseplay
  4. caper
  5. monkey business
  6. escapade
  7. clownery
  8. practical joke
Noun
  • Still, there's a remarkable level of buffoonery in his analysis.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The show, with its interest in corporate buffoonery, doesn’t quite manage to hand-wave away the queasy implications.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The device's user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of horseplay
Noun
  • Guy Ritchie’s high-society, high-octane caper starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario is set to return for a third outing, comprised of eight episodes.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Add the olive oil, capers, salt, and garlic and blend until smooth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of caper
Noun
  • But this was no monkey business April Fool’s joke.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
  • Barnett was the second Mississippi resident to take the monkey business into their own hands.
    — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of monkey business
Noun
  • Their escapade leads not only to the creation of their island paradise, Moonrise Kingdom, but a humorous wild goose chase between Suzy’s parents, Sam’s Scout troop, and the island police chief.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Last of the Mohicans Set in 1757 during the Seven Years’ War, this historical novel follows the escapades of wayfaring Natty Bumppo and his Mohican companions, Chingachgook and Uncas.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of escapade
Noun
  • Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
  • Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
    — Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Definition of clownery
Noun
  • In order to make their kissing scenes even more awkward, the late Larry Hagman would play practical jokes on his Dallas costar Linda Gray.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which ran from 1996 to 2003, was known for its hijinks, practical jokes and special effects, and, of course, magic.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Definition of practical joke
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.

Browse Nearby Words

monkeys (around)
monkeyshine
monkeyshines
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Cite this Entry

“Monkeyshine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkeyshine. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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