Shanghai
8 lettersverbrareUpdated February 2026
Definition
To coerce or trick someone into doing something, especially to force someone to join a ship's crew through kidnapping or deception. Originates from the practice of press-ganging sailors to Shanghai.
“The unsuspecting workers were shanghaied into signing contracts they hadn't fully read.”
Related Words
Word Game Tips
🟩
Wordle
Not typically used in Wordle due to 8-letter length; contains the uncommon GH pattern
🔤
Scrabble
Worth 15 points; the H provides good scoring potential on premium squares
Explore Similar Words
Try These Tools
Dictionary References
Look up shanghai in an authoritative dictionary for full definitions, pronunciation, and etymology.

Ready to test your word skills?
Download Word Challenge and challenge yourself with our daily word puzzles. Guess the hidden word in six tries or fewer!