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
Relevance
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
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 shenanigan
No drama, no shenanigans, just Brat T-shirts and strong knowledge of the choreo.
Baltimore (9/26)
Baltimore gave us the platonic ideal of Apple girls doing the Apple dance: well performed, a little personality, no drama.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 June 2025
The matching shrug pose wasn’t the last of James and Fallon’s silly shenanigans during the show.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 June 2025
From more superhero shenanigans in Gen V Season 2, to the continuation of epic fantasy action in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, these series are all a must-watch.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Almost ten years after Jeb’s temporal shenanigans, Pete Buttigieg ...
—Jack Butler, National Review, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 June 2025
The matching shrug pose wasn’t the last of James and Fallon’s silly shenanigans during the show.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 June 2025
From more superhero shenanigans in Gen V Season 2, to the continuation of epic fantasy action in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, these series are all a must-watch.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Almost ten years after Jeb’s temporal shenanigans, Pete Buttigieg ...
—Jack Butler, National Review, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shenanigan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan
Noun
-
Charged with assault and criminal mischief, Altunaga was freed on supervised release at the request of a prosecutor, the newspaper reported.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
-
He was charged with criminal mischief and was being held on $500 bond, said Constable Mark Herman.—
Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
No, because the medic — work requirements are a ruse.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
13 July 2025
-
Ben Affleck's Argo is a real film about the ruse of making a fake film to help rescue real-life hostages in Iran.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Was anyone arrested in the Mesa park ranger misconduct case?—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
In April 2024, Lateral officer Myron Howard, who was with the department for one year, was charged with rape, criminal confinement, official misconduct, making an unlawful proposition, public indecency and public nudity.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The scheme requires drivers to pay a fee—based on the time and duration of their visit and their vehicle type—to enter the lower part of Manhattan, from the southern end of Central Park to the city’s financial district.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Idris Elba is the British prime minister (and ex-soldier) who has no time for his tomfoolery.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Sadly, the Academy has released no rules preventing the tomfoolery that led to two leading actors winning the Supporting categories this year.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 July 2025
-
But this is an inane question, inanely phrased, because your letters so admirably inform me of your version of tricks.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The other person who spoke in South Carolina, Tim Walz, is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit, which is a toxic brew.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
-
Certainly hope none of you will be complicit in this buffoonery.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Butch Baker, who was Henry County sheriff until 2014, recalled an incident in which Bertram was accused of inappropriate horseplay at the community corrections office.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
The action anime feature for everyone who couldn’t get enough of the horseplay in The Two Towers has finally cantered onto Max.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share