SHENANIGAN(S) Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

shenanigans

noun

plural of shenanigan

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

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 The shenanigans ultimately prove slight but undeniably diverting. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 After shenanigans, walk through the basketball court to where the path continues in the court’s southeast corner. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Deft plotting, vivid characterization, and murky shenanigans power this relentlessly entertaining tale. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026 Because whenever the topic of Orange County’s ever-filling green spring of bed-tax money is discussed, shenanigans seem to proliferate. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 My mom’s side of the family is excellent at these type of shenanigans as well. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The exhibit was recognition of Cole's success attracting younger fans who enjoy such shenanigans as a pitcher throwing the ball while on stilts and outs being counted when a fan catches a foul ball in the stands. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The generals who had joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet resigned, tired of his shenanigans. — Literary Hub, 13 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shenanigans

Noun

Initially, the couple was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary and misdemeanor climbing of a structure.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Ryan faces multiple charges, including criminal mischief and resisting an officer.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischief

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

Former township Clerk Kimberly Grable pleaded guilty to official misconduct and was sentenced to five years in prison.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Jansen Trotter Fannin County In its initial statement, the Leonard Police Department did not identify the underlying misconduct, explain what Trotter allegedly knew or failed to report, or identify anyone else involved.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of joking

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

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

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shenanigan

shenanigans

Sheol

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

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Synonyms of shenanigans

noun

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