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shenanigan

[ shuh-nan-i-guhn ]

/ ʃəˈnæn ɪ gən /

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See synonyms for: shenanigan / shenanigans on Thesaurus.com

noun Informal.

Usually shenanigans.

mischief; prankishness: Halloween shenanigans.
deceit; trickery.

a mischievous or deceitful trick, practice, etc.

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Where Does The Word "Shenanigans" Come From?

We love the word "shenanigans." Just saying the word is almost as much fun as planning some shenanigans to pull on someone.

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Origin of shenanigan

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; of obscure origin

Words nearby shenanigan

Shemoneh Esreh, shemozzle, Shenandoah, Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah Valley, shenanigan, Shen Congwen, shend, Shensi, Shenstone, Shenton's line

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use shenanigan in a sentence

Then, the shenanigans began thanks to the rules governing the electoral college.
The election that foreshadowed 2020|James Morone|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
Marketers say that they expect the typical wheeling and dealing to continue as usual, even if the usual shenanigans of the boondoggle aren’t possible to fully recreate virtually.
Marketers, agency execs expect deal making to continue at CES, despite the virtual venue|Kimeko McCoy|January 8, 2021|Digiday
It explores the exhilaration of a low buzz, of concocting a ridiculous plan with your friends and then embarking on that plan even though you’re too old for these shenanigans.
I dare you to not be moved by Another Round, an existentialist film about day drinking|Alissa Wilkinson|December 18, 2020|Vox
His various shenanigans could have made people more likely to see unbecoming characteristics in Bill Clinton.
Why We Judge People Based on Their Relatives - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|November 11, 2020|Nautilus

None of the social media memes about changed ballots or other shenanigans have stood up in court.
The election can’t be ‘stolen.’ But something worse is happening.|Jennifer Rubin|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
I dont like companiestoo much shenanigan about stock and directors and meetings.
The Boss of Wind River|David Goodger (goodger@python.org)
I'll darn soon show ye what's the matter with me, you come any o' your shenanigan around here.
Back Home|Eugene Wood
"We need a good shenanigan," agreed the president unhappily.
Attention Saint Patrick|William Fitzgerald Jenkins
He was a bold man who attempted any shenanigan with Mart Haney, and the games of his halls were reported honest.
Money Magic|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for shenanigan

shenanigan

/ (ʃɪˈnænɪɡən) /

noun informal

(usually plural) roguishness; mischief

an act of treachery; deception

Word Origin for shenanigan

C19: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012