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
Frightening as these prank calls are, their recipients refuse to take the message seriously, because surely the whole thing is just a macabre practical joke.
—
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
Over the last year, Beckinsale has continued sharing moments with her mom on social media — from playing practical jokes on Loe to celebrating her 78th birthday in the hospital singing a song during treatments.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
The unofficial holiday encourages pulling light-hearted pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes or hijinks on others.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
And thus Hayes' rival is Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), a young driver in his first season who sees no reason to trust a driver whose arrival in his team mid-season seems more like a practical joke.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
Over the last year, Beckinsale has continued sharing moments with her mom on social media — from playing practical jokes on Loe to celebrating her 78th birthday in the hospital singing a song during treatments.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
The unofficial holiday encourages pulling light-hearted pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes or hijinks on others.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
And thus Hayes' rival is Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), a young driver in his first season who sees no reason to trust a driver whose arrival in his team mid-season seems more like a practical joke.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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The goofy tree-imitator Pokémon, whose rock typing has come off as a prank since its early second generation introduction, finally fulfills its destiny as a grass type thanks to this new battling phenomenon.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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These special relationships can be filled with everything from fun and joy to cruel pranks and teasing.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The fast food giant announced the return of the classic Halloween item, which makes the perfect vessel for storing candy that is picked up while making the rounds of trick-or-treating.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
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Basically, a kid goes out trick-or-treating on Halloween.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Group members can share experiences, knowledge, hopes, fears and strengths.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Then he was forced out of his job by the White House, only to be replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a former insurance lawyer in Florida with no experience as a prosecutor.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Day 1 of Humphrey the Whale’s first adventure inland.—
Helen Harlan,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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In this adventure, she is eventually rescued from her secluded tower by an outlaw named Flynn Rider.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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