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
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
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
This is an open invitation to shenanigans of all kinds.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
But again, there’s no place in the game for those kinds of shenanigans.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
When Euphoria left us in 2022, Lexi (played by Maude Apatow) created havoc at the premiere of her play, exposing everyone's shenanigans by reading them for filth.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
There will be corporate intelligence networks, bargain bin shenanigans, and a giant industrial saw chewing up books by the thousands.
—Willa Rubin, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
The messy shenanigans marked a fitting conclusion to the series that premiered in 2000 about a comically dysfunctional family and which became one of Fox’s signature hits during its seven-season run.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
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
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
This is an open invitation to shenanigans of all kinds.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
But again, there’s no place in the game for those kinds of shenanigans.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
When Euphoria left us in 2022, Lexi (played by Maude Apatow) created havoc at the premiere of her play, exposing everyone's shenanigans by reading them for filth.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
There will be corporate intelligence networks, bargain bin shenanigans, and a giant industrial saw chewing up books by the thousands.
—Willa Rubin, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
The messy shenanigans marked a fitting conclusion to the series that premiered in 2000 about a comically dysfunctional family and which became one of Fox’s signature hits during its seven-season run.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigans
Noun
-
Loki Loki is the Norse god of mischief and he’s known as a trickster—sometimes for good, sometimes a bit more devious.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Following the 2023 arrest, Paul was given misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 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
-
British police launched a criminal probe and arrested Mandelson in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving her post amid an internal investigation brought on by complaints about misconduct by the secretary while in office.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 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
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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 22 Apr. 2026.
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