MONKEYSHINE(S) Synonyms: 103 Similar Words

monkeyshines

noun

plural of monkeyshine

as in buffoonery

wildly playful or mischievous behavior hockey players who are known for their monkeyshines on and off the ice

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as in trick

a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke on the alert for paleontological monkeyshines ever since the unmasking of Piltdown man

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkeyshines

Noun

Irwin knows how to clown an audience, and in this enjoyable, broadly comic interpretation, the buffoonery is at least as much the point as some pointed critiques of modern-day American health care.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump’s quarter millennial—featuring overt buffoonery and historic grifting as neighbors—was characteristic of his two presidencies.

— Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of buffoonery

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

Noun

Regional authorities said that the entire caper was conducted within three minutes and that the thieves targeted the most valuable paintings in the museum, which occupies the French old master’s one-time residence.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, sliced fennel, celery, shallot, artichokes, capers, dill, and oregano.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of caper

Noun

There was a time when fall was hospitality’s quiet season—the quiet lull between summer beach trips and ski season escapades, the time when back to school and back to work meant people largely stayed home.

— Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Check out even more Amazon travel finds to shop ahead of your fall escapades.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of escapade

Noun

On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
After all, as observed in a recent article in New York magazine about clowning, stupidity is powerful resistance.

— New York Times, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of clowning

Noun

As Ivan and Nina wrestle with their own emotional truths, which range from her mother Nora’s departure from their lives to Ivan’s clumsy recitations of Nina’s childhood antics, something alarming is afoot.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Now that the company has one show in production, there’s a sense a bigger audience, not just people familiar with Jorgenson’s antics, is out there.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of antic

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monkeyshine

monkeyshines

monkeys (with)

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“Monkeyshines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkeyshines. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of monkeyshines

noun

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