SHENANIGAN Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

shenanigan

noun

shə-ˈna-ni-gən

Definition of shenanigan

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 The generals who had joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet resigned, tired of his shenanigans. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 But after a while, the lack of grounding gets tiring, as various supernatural shenanigans appear to be determined more by plot convenience than anything else. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 The event began more than a century ago following a tempestuous season of shenanigans (like turning over outhouses and letting cows loose down Main Street); the city’s leaders decided to keep residents occupied every October from then on. — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026 The third season sees Ranma and fiancée Akane have to deal with old annoyances, new dangers, and even more shenanigans. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shenanigan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigan

Noun

Ryan faces multiple charges, including criminal mischief and resisting an officer.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026
Both were arrested, and Cooper initially faced a criminal-mischief charge.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischief

Noun

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
Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of joking

Noun

What about when Carole was hiding in the closet to try to overhear Luann calling her a pedophile, and Jules Wainstein kept trying to ruin her ruse?

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Last-ditch plan for prosecution Authorities next developed what Smallwood described as a last-ditch plan to prosecute Tanzer — a ruse that could catch him lying about the rape.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruse

Noun

The Justice Department has charged about 90 people for various types of election misconduct so far this year, including 50 who are said to have voted as noncitizens.

— SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
SafeSport, a nonprofit established to prevent the abuse of athletes and address misconduct allegations, was dismissed as a defendant in two lawsuits filed by gymnasts that allege the organization did not properly investigate Gardner.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of misconduct

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

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shelvings

shenanigan

shenanigans

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Style

“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigan. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shenanigan

noun

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