shenanigan

noun

shə-ˈna-ni-gən How to pronounce shenanigan (audio)
Definition of shenanigannext
1
as in mischief
usually shenanigans plural playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm students engaging in youthful shenanigans on the last day of school

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joking
usually shenanigans plural wildly playful or mischievous behavior an act of vandalism that went way beyond the usual shenanigans at summer camp

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end the street-corner huckster of pirated DVDs had all sorts of shenanigans to keep the cops off of his tail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shenanigan Check back for morning-after recaps of weekday episodes and a Monday roundup of the weekend’s shenanigans. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 July 2026 To many onlookers, Neil’s shenanigans appear adorably quirky. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 July 2026 Such shenanigans are more or less expected, and certainly haven’t forever sullied the American soccer fan base, at least here at home. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 July 2026 Advertisement Two years after the body-swapping shenanigans, most of our characters are happy. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
  1. mischief
  2. joking
  3. ruse
  4. misconduct
  5. tomfoolery
  6. scheme
  7. buffoonery
  8. trick
Noun
  • Neverson was charged with a felony count of second-degree mischief for an unrelated disturbance.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
  • In a nicely balanced performance, Alejandra Villanueva’s Mistress Quickly, the play’s go-between and overseer of mischief, embodies the free and easy spirit of Simon’s production.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • Fort Worth Police Department homicide detectives on Monday arrested Alonzo Reyes, 18, and Gerald Chamberlain, 17, on suspicion of murder in the alleged ruse.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • The Chenbot also weighs in on Jason’s emotional ruse to Angela.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • When Platner arrived, the place seemed haunted not only by American misconduct but also by Saddam Hussein’s use of it to imprison and abuse political dissidents during his reign.
    — Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • Notably, there’s no public indication that Barron is suspected of misconduct or had any involvement in matters related to Andrew and Tristan Tate.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • This is the first sign of the kind of tomfoolery Luke has in store for the night.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • The project has been plagued by technical issues, supplier disputes, and alleged tomfoolery—empty mini tequila bottles were reportedly discovered on one of the airplanes under construction.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of tomfoolery
Noun
  • These questions – not to mention the loss of former coach Mike McDaniel, who’s run scheme in 2025 was nothing short of wizardry – could potentially make or break the Dolphins.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • The scheme change under Parker impacted Marist Liufau arguably the most of any player on the roster, as the staff moved him from an off-ball inside linebacker role to a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Without Roberts in charge, expect the political and racial buffoonery to creep back into the conversation at ESPN.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 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
  • The trick is to raise it anyway, at every age, for whatever chapter comes next.
    — Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • When Not To Use It As clever as this trick is, experts caution against trying to stretch it beyond its intended purpose.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
Definition of trick

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shenanigan
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Cite this Entry

“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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