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 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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
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
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
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
-
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
-
While sustaining the ruse for months, Ale arranged with an expectant young mother who didn’t want her child to take that woman’s newborn as her own.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned observers of Russia’s space program might question if the drone attacks are a ruse to add another layer of secrecy over Russia’s launch activity at Plesetsk.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
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
-
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
-
There’s a symbiosis in play here, and the NFL is fully aware that its unmatched popularity is still almost entirely a function of its TV-first delivery scheme.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
1 May 2026
-
Following that incident, Weber allegedly tried to launch another scheme involving him offering basketball players overseas trips.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
This and other videos like it have been making the rounds lately, using tricks for clicks.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
-
But Ohm has picked up some tricks from his time in the room.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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