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 hijinks
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
The youngest boy Benny Walter (Lennix James) participated in these shenanigans, as did Jordan (Dean Petriw), who always has his video camera on him to capture documentary-worthy moments like that prank, which stemmed from a bet between Isaac and Cole.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
Sure, Outlander or Blood of My Blood could pull some twisty time-travel shenanigans and make this happen, but this universe isn’t exactly known for doling out neat and tidy happily ever afters.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
As a result of shenanigans in their dressing room, players Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe have both been transfer-listed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
But things quickly go off the deep end as, either by some psychotropic drug or virtual reality shenanigans, the game’s world is literally turned upside down with roads, building, and more warped to twist into sky like something out of Inception.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
Sure, Outlander or Blood of My Blood could pull some twisty time-travel shenanigans and make this happen, but this universe isn’t exactly known for doling out neat and tidy happily ever afters.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
As a result of shenanigans in their dressing room, players Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe have both been transfer-listed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
But things quickly go off the deep end as, either by some psychotropic drug or virtual reality shenanigans, the game’s world is literally turned upside down with roads, building, and more warped to twist into sky like something out of Inception.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
Wednesday, of course, is always up to some mischief, bringing Enid in with her.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory, and mischief unfolds.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Today’s shortsighted, sellout city politicians are killing the golden goose under the ruse that affordable housing is the be-all and the end-all of life in San Diego.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The agent, keeping up the ruse, continued to push her on the phone for several minutes.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Boy Meets World — Savage’s comedy legacy has been marred by multiple misconduct allegations over the years.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The senior pastor at the historic First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte in uptown was fired after allegations of misconduct proved true, the church said in an email Wednesday.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Paul looks the part and Savaiinaea has the footwork and athleticism needed to thrive in this zone-blocking scheme.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Park’s character in Confidence Queen Park sets one clever trap after another, fitting each scheme into a larger puzzle.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rite of passage or midnight tomfoolery?—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Last year, in response to some political parodies that used images created by artificial intelligence, including one that pilloried Vice President Kamala Harris, the Legislature passed and Newsom signed two measures to outlaw such tomfoolery.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thus, Last Rites tries a new trick, with the doll growing in size and chasing Judy down a hallway, in a sequence that is strangely reminiscent of Five Nights At Freddy's.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Grandma's favorite time-saving trick is to rely on the trusty the slow-cooker to make sweet, tender onions that require little to no stirring.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Their relationship, tentative, intimate, and defiant, lingers long after the satirical skewering of male buffoonery has faded.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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