as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
friends had left the risqué message on his voice mail as a practical joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of practical joke
At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong.
—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
With over 300 episodes to shoot, there was time for some practical jokes.
—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
This is all some practical joke that’s being played on me.
—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Jordan had thought he’d been set up for a practical joke.
—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
With over 300 episodes to shoot, there was time for some practical jokes.
—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
This is all some practical joke that’s being played on me.
—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Jordan had thought he’d been set up for a practical joke.
—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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Those ticket sales rank as the worst opening in the prank comedy series that’s all about risking life, limb and dignity.
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Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.
Noun
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The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
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Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
Noun
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
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The technology still has to prove itself on safety, but the ride experience now counts too.
Noun
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Sometimes finding the right trees can be an adventure, hiking into forests and mountains to find the oldest trees, patriarchs that hold centuries of information.
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My husband and daughter were enthusiastic about my applying for this year-long adventure.
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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