shenanigans

noun

plural of shenanigan
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

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 shenanigans Clearly their support worked as the streamer confirmed Hardy’s da Souza is back for more shenanigans in Season 3. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 The shenanigans with Leonard and Uncle Dennis just cost them an additional five firsts. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Pushing it into hard motocross-style shenanigans will knock that time down considerably, of course. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 Another stunning composite view of last night's lunar shenanigans was taken by Kohinoor Kar, who documented the transformation of the lunar disk from full Sturgeon Moon to an eclipsed near-blood moon from Phoenix, Arizona. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The second season of The Gentlemen promises more crime world shenanigans, a new Untold documentary delves into the 2024 Olympics' weirdest moment, and more. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 Be sure to watch for Ralphie running across the field (hopefully accompanied by her handlers) and Uga's shenanigans. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 First, this is an actual race, not just intra-mission shenanigans. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026 However, when asked about any shenanigans Yungblud and Hill might have gotten into on the road, the singer remains circumspect. — Katherine Turman, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigans
  1. mischief
  2. tomfoolery
  3. misconduct
  4. joking
  5. buffoonery
  6. clowning
  7. horseplay
  8. roughhousing
Noun
  • Bucking Fastard, Werner Herzog’s first fiction film since 2019, belongs to a hallowed lineage of cinema about weird gals getting into mischief.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For a curious cat or dog, a quick nibble or brush against the wrong bloom can turn a little botanical mischief into a serious medical emergency.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • 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
  • Between their champagne problems and flirty tomfoolery, Anna disappears, initiating a futile rescue search.
    — Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 25 July 2026
Definition of tomfoolery
Noun
  • Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April over the misconduct allegations.
    — Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors argued that the jury’s dispute reflected not misconduct but a legitimate disagreement over the evidence.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • Indeed, at lunch, instead of separating into groups to eat, all 16 participants form one mega table and spend the half-hour joking and laughing together.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Many readers — some likely joking — shared their grievances with Elmo.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • Still, there's a remarkable level of buffoonery in his analysis.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • The clowning might be a little too effortful.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of clowning
Noun
  • The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The device's user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of horseplay
Noun
  • As expected, Aussies brought the roughhousing.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026
  • The boys challenge each other to throw heavy objects, which leads to intense roughhousing.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of roughhousing

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shenanigan
shenanigans
Sheol
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Cite this Entry

“Shenanigans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shenanigans. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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