1
as in hijinks
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
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 monkeyshines
Noun
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Covino deploys some of his favorite tricks, like observing domestic chaos or bliss from the outside looking in (or reverse), and characters performing unexpected songs in order to win over a lover.—
Katie Walsh,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025 -
After giving it a go myself, comparing notes with our Test Kitchen, and reviewing Pelosi’s tips and tricks on his website, here are a few pointers that might come in handy along the way: Use your noodle.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He’s been tinkering with this messaging on and off since damn near the start of the century, when his criticism of the genre shifted from the power-holding executives (both white and Black) of the music industry who were profiting off buffoonery, a la Bamboozled, to rap music itself.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
15 Aug. 2025
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Stewart’s switch from his usual snark to imitate Colbert’s buffoonery proved how spiteful and irreligious political humor has become since the left’s worship of Barack Obama and subsequent persecution of President Trump.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Based on Johnson’s cult Viceland series, this hysterical, death-defying time-travel caper earned a standing ovation and a coveted Midnighter Audience Award at this past spring’s SXSW.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 July 2025
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Make the tapenade: Put the olives, capers, anchovy fillets, garlic, lemon zest and juice, cayenne and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Fortunately, there are far more people in important positions who don’t want any part of this tomfoolery.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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That indicates either a profound lack of creativity or intense postproduction tomfoolery.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Both fragrances are companions for discovery, adapting to the diverse rhythms of a European city-hopping escapade.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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American Dad! is back on FOX and heading into their 20th season of outlandish plots, covert ops and alien escapades.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Butch Baker, who was Henry County sheriff until 2014, recalled an incident in which Bertram was accused of inappropriate horseplay at the community corrections office.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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The action anime feature for everyone who couldn’t get enough of the horseplay in The Two Towers has finally cantered onto Max.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Between his friendship with the oafish Jughead Jones and his love triangle with his classmates Betty and Veronica, Archie's goofy antics inspired over 70 years of comics, with his main series concluding in 2020, not to mention countless spinoffs.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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This one fared better than most: It was gated, close to shops and restaurants, and spacious enough to keep up with the antics of the couple’s toddler twin boys.—
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar,
Architectural Digest,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The installation features 11 projects blending art and science into interactive experiences focused on scientific ocean exploration.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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Teaching them were a crew of MLB umpiring officials with more than 300 years of professional experience between them, including 16 World Series.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Monkeyshines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkeyshines. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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