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
There were some Kiefer Sherwood shenanigans, a gratuitous Tom Wilson takedown of J.T. Miller and Dubois getting an extra lick in on Hughes for good measure.
—
Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Overall, never stop doing our jobs to keep our readers informed of the latest City Hall conflicts, sports intrigues, Kelce shenanigans, and restaurant and bar openings.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
Bring on more implausible shenanigans from Allison Williams’s roboticist and Violet McGraw as her grieving niece, as well as more wild fight scenes, gruesome deaths, and bizarre twists.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
The fans of the video games will surely eat up all the shenanigans involving sarcastic CGI critters speeding around space and fighting one another — as is their right — but these films tend to have a lot more heart and unpredictable energy when these characters interact with actual people.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shenanigan 
Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Overall, never stop doing our jobs to keep our readers informed of the latest City Hall conflicts, sports intrigues, Kelce shenanigans, and restaurant and bar openings.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025
Bring on more implausible shenanigans from Allison Williams’s roboticist and Violet McGraw as her grieving niece, as well as more wild fight scenes, gruesome deaths, and bizarre twists.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
The fans of the video games will surely eat up all the shenanigans involving sarcastic CGI critters speeding around space and fighting one another — as is their right — but these films tend to have a lot more heart and unpredictable energy when these characters interact with actual people.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
He was charged with criminal mischief and harassment, both misdemeanors that do not qualify for immediate jail time.—
Michael Wilson,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
-
He was originally suspected of two counts of arson, four counts of possession of a device, four counts of manufacturing a device and one count of mischief, according to Oregon records.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Just a few weeks ago former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to the stage under the ruse of helping celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, only to be surprised by her boyfriend with a proposal.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Litton, using the name Michael Sanders, had scheduled an appointment with Feather River Adventist School principal under the ruse of enrolling his nonexistent grandson.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Jan. 2025
-
For any act categorized as misconduct, the first offense incurs a base fine of €10,000—€40,000 for F1 drivers.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Taking control of the Panama Canal was the most popular of Trump’s schemes to expand the U.S., with 46% in favor and 47% in opposition.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
-
In addition to alleging plans to pressure developers into hiring Madigan’s law firm, the indictment accuses Madigan and McClain of bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
If humans can use emotional tomfoolery to prevail over AI, there is a certain kind of endearing fulfillment in doing so.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Aside from those two couple moments, Turner's post also included plenty of tomfoolery with friends and documented some of her travels — from skiing in January to an October trip to an ancient temple in Egypt.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The trick for both actors was playing the multiple levels without getting too technical and playing things dishonestly as a result.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2025
-
It’s never been easier to learn grooming tips and tricks.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
There are no gilded gates here, but there is one heck of a party, complete with serenading busts, ballroom dancers, excitable opera singers, drunken buffoonery and portraits locked in an endless duel.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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What’s so special about Britain’s patron wanker of bighearted buffoonery?—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And yes, there were cases on public roads where the horseplay turned dangerous.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
-
On my gondola, however, horseplay is not only encouraged, it is required.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
24 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shenanigan
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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