shenanigans

noun

plural of shenanigan
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

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 shenanigans Kass was at his best as an observer of humanity and as an investigative reporter of the many shenanigans going on in local government. — Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 The shenanigans ultimately prove slight but undeniably diverting. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 After shenanigans, walk through the basketball court to where the path continues in the court’s southeast corner. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Deft plotting, vivid characterization, and murky shenanigans power this relentlessly entertaining tale. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigans
  1. mischief
  2. tomfoolery
  3. misconduct
  4. joking
  5. buffoonery
  6. clowning
  7. horseplay
  8. roughhousing
Noun
  • That sense of mischief and adventure lives on in everything Richard Lloyd ever played — and that’s why his guiding light still shines on.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2026
  • An adrenaline junkie, spendthrift and incorrigible mischief-maker, Daniel arrives with his younger wife Ayesha and becomes the weekend’s most disruptive presence.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of mischief
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.
    — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After all, as observed in a recent article in New York magazine about clowning, stupidity is powerful resistance.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of clowning
Noun
  • Six months ago, Thomas drowned during rough horseplay in a pool.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The video depicts a group of students engaged in horseplay, progressing to two 15-year-olds tussling and laughing, according to the suit.
    — Eric Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of horseplay
Noun
  • As expected, Aussies brought the roughhousing.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026
  • The boys challenge each other to throw heavy objects, which leads to intense roughhousing.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of roughhousing

Browse Nearby Words

shenanigan
shenanigans
Sheol
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Cite this Entry

“Shenanigans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigans. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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