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
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Recent Examples of practical joke
Shilo often posts videos to YouTube of himself impersonating Sanders or playing practical jokes on his dad.
—
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Editor’s picks Looked at in the context of Lynch’s larger career — among the most remarkable in film history, but also among the most idiosyncratic — such wide-sweeping popularity almost feels like a practical joke by the universe on David Lynch, or perhaps vice versa.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Ernie Ernie is known for his playful, free-spirited nature and his love for practical jokes, especially at the expense of his best friend, Bert.
—Casey Clark, Parents, 16 Jan. 2025
Some guessed that excessive Taser incidents could be officers fiddling with the weapons out of boredom or sparking them as a practical joke.
—Nate Rosenfield, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Editor’s picks Looked at in the context of Lynch’s larger career — among the most remarkable in film history, but also among the most idiosyncratic — such wide-sweeping popularity almost feels like a practical joke by the universe on David Lynch, or perhaps vice versa.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Ernie Ernie is known for his playful, free-spirited nature and his love for practical jokes, especially at the expense of his best friend, Bert.
—Casey Clark, Parents, 16 Jan. 2025
Some guessed that excessive Taser incidents could be officers fiddling with the weapons out of boredom or sparking them as a practical joke.
—Nate Rosenfield, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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Blending real tour footage, a faux biopic, a tongue-in-cheek jukebox musical and a museum filled with half-fake relics, the film is part tribute, part Gen X time capsule, part absurdist prank.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
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Anna stages a prank that is just supposed to scare Willow, but the plan collides with the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and ends with Willow’s disappearance.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
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One trick to capture slugs is to lay a board down next to a row crop and check the underside in the morning to gather the slugs.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Truth is, finding universal tips and tricks for keeping your cortisol levels stable first thing in the morning and when leaving the house is tough.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
5 July 2025
Noun
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In your experience, do people fidget to purposely get non-conclusive results?—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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From our experience, there are a few major home categories to look out for when shopping for the best sales: bedding, appliances, decor, and kitchen essentials.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
8 July 2025
Noun
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As previously reported, the first season followed Wednesday's (Jenna Ortega) adventures as a new student at Nevermore Academy.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 July 2025
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Rather than focusing on arts and crafts or outdoor adventures, students in grades 6-12 will spend two weeks learning the fundamentals of building a digital career.—
Katie Salcius,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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