SHENANIGAN Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

shenanigan

noun

shə-ˈna-ni-gən

Definition of shenanigan

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

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

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 Because whenever the topic of Orange County’s ever-filling green spring of bed-tax money is discussed, shenanigans seem to proliferate. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 My mom’s side of the family is excellent at these type of shenanigans as well. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The exhibit was recognition of Cole's success attracting younger fans who enjoy such shenanigans as a pitcher throwing the ball while on stilts and outs being counted when a fan catches a foul ball in the stands. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The generals who had joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet resigned, tired of his shenanigans. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shenanigan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan

Noun

Nicole Bottiglierivega Miami-Dade Corrections Nicole Bottiglierivega, 42, faces charges of third-degree grand theft, contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, criminal mischief, and resisting an officer without violence.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
With modern elections often decided by extremely thin margins and billions of dollars sloshing through campaigns, both parties have ample incentives and opportunities to gain an edge through mischief involving third parties.

— New York Times, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischief

Noun

As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of joking

Noun

When Abdul El-Sayed fundraised with members of the Soros family, Republicans said his campaign trail rhetoric about money in politics was a ruse.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
In episode 4, Noah made up an elaborate ruse involving a fake friend’s wedding in Napa — a means of getting Joanne to wine country for a romantic weekend.

— Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruse

Noun

The state labor board denied SoCal Berry Growers’ claims of misconduct, reaffirming the United Farm Workers’ unionization petition.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Allegations of misconduct toppled the Democrat’s campaign, but his replacement, former logger and state senator Troy Jackson, has had a strong showing in the polls, and posed the first actual competition Collins has faced in nearly three decades.

— Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

After the film’s theatrical release on June 26, the decades-long saga of pranks and tomfoolery is finally coming to an end.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of tomfoolery

Noun

Known as The Max, the facility was at the center of a bribery scheme that led to the conviction of the former mayor of neighboring McCook, whose office was raided the same day as Getty’s.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
He also wasn’t criminally charged in connection with the scheme.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

Irwin knows how to clown an audience, and in this enjoyable, broadly comic interpretation, the buffoonery is at least as much the point as some pointed critiques of modern-day American health care.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump’s quarter millennial—featuring overt buffoonery and historic grifting as neighbors—was characteristic of his two presidencies.

— Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of buffoonery

Noun

Even at the album’s more sedate tempos, gyrofield still delivers the manic intensity that marks their best work, building luscious tension with an arsenal of top-shelf production tricks.

— Lisle Younger, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Trader Joe’s focaccia, sliced and toasted, will do the trick, or their ciabatta, sliced into small squares.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of trick

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“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of shenanigan

noun

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