Shenanigan

Quick meaning: Shenanigan is a noun meaning (intransitive) To play a deceitful confidence trick; also, to carry out an act of mischief.

Meaning

(intransitive) To play a deceitful confidence trick; also, to carry out an act of mischief.

More Meanings

1. (countable, chiefly in the plural) singular of shenanigans: a deceitful confidence trick; also, an act of mischief; a prank, a trick; an act of mischievous play, especially by children.
2. (uncountable, dated, rare) Dishonest, underhanded, or unscrupulous activities or behaviour; skulduggery, trickery; also, mischievous behaviour or play; high jinks.
3. (transitive) To play a deceitful confidence trick on (someone); to swindle, to trick; also, to carry out an act of mischief on (someone); to prank.

Example Sentences

I spotted his next shenanigan—saw it coming—and so avoided being fooled.

We have a host of eagle-eyed natives, who will stand by the polls, and see that no shenanigan is played.

He then would state some of the principles of the party; First of all he would have them know it was on the square! and why was it on the square? Why? Because it didn't intend to "come the shenanigan"—that was it!

A longtime friend of [Ann] Richards and co-conspirator in many a shenanigan and act of political skulduggery, she [Liz Carpenter] had decided early in the fall to act on her conviction that something important had gone out of politics.

Word Forms

• shenanigans
• shenaniganing
• shenaniganning
• shenaniganed
• shenaniganned

Synonyms for shenanigan

Depending on context, synonyms include caper, capriccio, curvet, gag, gambade, lark.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include trickery, guile, chicanery, mischief, wile, mischievousness.

Related Dictionary Tools