1
as in mischief
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 tomfoolery
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
an act of vandalism that went way beyond the usual shenanigans at summer camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shenanigans
Fans sitting in this section get a front-row seat to Gritty’s infamous skits and silly shenanigans throughout the game.
—
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
What are the Flyers without the crazy-eyed mascot that is always getting up to some shenanigans — like tossing a plush version of his opponents' mascot down the stadium stairs mid-game.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
That means Hawkins Lab may get up to some minor shenanigans, and the Upside Down may harbor peculiar creatures — one of which props up the first season’s central mystery about a hostile spore-spreading species — but none of them can be any more nefarious or terrifying than what popped up before.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026
After the whistle After all the shenanigans in Game 2 and across the league’s playoffs series in general, NHL officials addressed the post-whistle battles with the players Thursday morning.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s the kind of trade the Stars are happy to make after getting even in this first-round series, 1-1, by baiting the Wild to get even with them in pre- and post-whistle shenanigans.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
The bear's shenanigans were caught on the home's Ring camera.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
The constant interviews, sideline shenanigans and weird rules completely detract from the action on the field.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
William really is having a time of it down in Savannah, learning that literally everyone in his life has been lying to him about various shenanigans.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
What are the Flyers without the crazy-eyed mascot that is always getting up to some shenanigans — like tossing a plush version of his opponents' mascot down the stadium stairs mid-game.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
That means Hawkins Lab may get up to some minor shenanigans, and the Upside Down may harbor peculiar creatures — one of which props up the first season’s central mystery about a hostile spore-spreading species — but none of them can be any more nefarious or terrifying than what popped up before.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026
After the whistle After all the shenanigans in Game 2 and across the league’s playoffs series in general, NHL officials addressed the post-whistle battles with the players Thursday morning.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s the kind of trade the Stars are happy to make after getting even in this first-round series, 1-1, by baiting the Wild to get even with them in pre- and post-whistle shenanigans.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
The bear's shenanigans were caught on the home's Ring camera.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
The constant interviews, sideline shenanigans and weird rules completely detract from the action on the field.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
William really is having a time of it down in Savannah, learning that literally everyone in his life has been lying to him about various shenanigans.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigans
Noun
-
He’s also charged with criminal mischief.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
In an alleged incident involving Mortensen in February 2023, Paul was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
1 May 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
-
Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That swing drew a 10-minute misconduct penalty and an Avs power play to end the stanza.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Receivers have cratered seasons with me-over-we buffoonery.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the race unfolds in real time, there’s clowning, collisions, sabotage, surprises, comedy, chaos and more.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Comedy and clowning are ways Zaalan has connected with their homeland after the Syrian revolution.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The precisely choreographed horseplay in the first act of his Nutcracker is physical comedy at its best.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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More horseplay: Saturday brings the 75th running of the Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, a chance to watch horses that will soon run in the Kentucky Derby, but also an excuse for locals to dress up with outfits topped by a hat or fascinator.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The boys challenge each other to throw heavy objects, which leads to intense roughhousing.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The actor shared rare photos of the teen with his younger siblings, getting it in at the gym, hiking, and roughhousing.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigans. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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