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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of shenanigan
There have been all sorts of concerns for a while, including shenanigans around using metrics from SaaS to apply to AI-native companies (that logic is specious at best).
—
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Pools, trails, nine-hole putting, a pond (essential for childhood shenanigans), and nightly s’mores by the firepit.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Seven minutes later, Konnor Smith, Judd Caulfield and Sasha Pastujov took turns in the penalty box for their own physical shenanigans.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
As a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York who lived through the Watergate era, Nixon’s shenanigans appear as normal as apple pie.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Pools, trails, nine-hole putting, a pond (essential for childhood shenanigans), and nightly s’mores by the firepit.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Seven minutes later, Konnor Smith, Judd Caulfield and Sasha Pastujov took turns in the penalty box for their own physical shenanigans.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
As a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York who lived through the Watergate era, Nixon’s shenanigans appear as normal as apple pie.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
And what good mischief doesn't begin with a little sinful bite?—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Written in a joking and contemptuous tone, the tweet would take on an indescribably morbid weight just five days later, when, at the behest of Governor Cláudio Castro, the Rio de Janeiro police carried out the deadliest massacre in the country’s history.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Because telling Starfleet that the Furies are part Lynar, and particularly susceptible to high sonic frequencies, is just an ingenious ruse.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said at trial that the custody exchange on the day of the shooting was a ruse for Payne to talk his way back into Lane's life.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sappenfield was permanently banned by the United States Center for SafeSport in May 2024 for physical and emotional misconduct, retaliation, abuse of process, and failure to report a potential SafeSport violation.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Sought book on prosecutorial misconduct In the bulk of his conversations, Nathan detailed the misery of jail life.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Jazz are 15-35, which puts them at the sixth pick if zero lottery-ball tomfoolery happens.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But enough of all that tomfoolery, because there is one person on the beach who knows exactly what is about to happen!—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Those affected by the scheme can visit Agridime’s website to see how the company is handling investors’ claims.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Jane Doe alleged that in 2013, Epstein’s associates directed her to open a Bank of America account as part of a scheme to deceive immigration officials.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seven of the 12 finalists fell in their first run in snowy conditions, which made landing tricks more of a challenge.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Van Der Beek, twisting his remarkable life into a piece of comedy, pulled the same kind of trick.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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