shenanigan
noun
Did you know?
The history of shenanigan is as tricky and mischievous as its meaning. Etymologists have some theories about its origins, but no one has been able to prove them. All we can say for certain is that the earliest known uses of the word in print appeared in the mid-1800s. Although the "underhanded trick" sense of the word is oldest, the most common senses in use now are "tricky or questionable practices" (as in "political shenanigans") and "high-spirited behavior" (as in "youthful shenanigans").
Synonyms
Examples of shenanigan in a Sentence
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2023
This list includes in-law shenanigans, including accusations of hoarding lobbed at the hosts of a recent in-law visit.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2023
The Treasury is also looking to crack down on crypto shenanigans.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2023
Although the first three acts unfold as a prototypical Shakespearean tragedy, a 16-year time jump ushers in a story of song and dance and comic shenanigans — turning the play into a sprawling cross-section of the Bard’s oeuvre.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
This ain’t your grandma’s bridge night – this card game is a one-way ticket to a night of epic shenanigans, perfect for the friend who’s always up for a good time and a well-deserved drink.
—Bianka Ramon, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023
Paramount Pictures The Star Trek franchise has engaged in its share of time-travel shenanigans, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a classic in that regard.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
In the 2009 episode, Zack, Cody and their friends dock in the Italian capital to take a break from their cruise ship school shenanigans.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023
Batman The dads took a villainous turn as Gotham bad boys — the Riddler and the Joker in 2014 — but Batman (Gideon) and Batgirl (Harper) were there to thwart any evil shenanigans.
—Lydia Price, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shenanigan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
origin unknown
1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
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Cite this Entry
“Shenanigan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shenanigan. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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