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
Noun
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Death by Lightning, adapted by Mike Makowsky from Candice Millard’s 2011 nonfiction book and directed by Matt Ross, hums with the strength of these performances, particularly Shannon’s quiet composure and Macfadyen mining new depths of buffoonery.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025 -
North Coast Rep will present a show Dec. 11-Dec. 14 with bubbling energy and comedic buffoonery in the British Pantomime version of The Adventures of Robin Hood as its next student production.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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One easy trick can turn those misshapen lumps with scraggly edges into gorgeous, bakery-worthy treats.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Yet this is truly an ensemble show, in which each performer has multiple opportunities to shine, executing some splendidly silly bits together, such as delivering CPR to a sandwich or convincingly channeling their inner tots during some post-bedtime horseplay.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
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There was reportedly no horseplay or swerving during the ride, according to 9News.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The couple employed local craftsmen to clear the area and built two terraces supported by drystone walls using the same techniques once employed for cultivating capers.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
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Alternatively, combine with tomato, garlic, capers, and olives for a puttanesca-style pasta sauce.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barnett was the second Mississippi resident to take the monkey business into their own hands.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
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The monkey business is dominated by a handful of highly secretive and rivalrous brokers.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Forget the red Porsches, promiscuous escapades, and questionable clothing choices.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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Swap your shoes for fins and clothes for swim suits, then embark on an aquatic escapade.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As for Abdul-Mateen, the clownery will resume for him on Broadway.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2022
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Tirhakah Love is a senior writer at New York Magazine and the host of the new evening newsletter Dinner Party, a daily email that touches on all things entertainment — that means film, television, music, tech, and gaming — plus politics and corporate clownery.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2022
Noun
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Everything about Groundhog Day sounds like a practical joke.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Release: All three episodes available on premiere day Where to watch: Netflix Stars: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman A practical joke leads to a mysterious death at a 1925 country-house party in this Agatha Christie adaptation written by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
29 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Monkeyshine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkeyshine. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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