practical joke
noun
: a prank intended to trick or embarrass someone or cause physical discomfort
practical joker
noun
Examples of practical joke in a Sentence
One of the children filled the sugar bowl with salt as a practical joke.
friends had left the risqué message on his voice mail as a practical joke
Recent Examples on the Web
The unofficial holiday encourages pulling light-hearted pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes or hijinks on others.
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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
They got engaged on April Fool’s Day Matheson and Spencer got engaged on April 1, with a proposal that doubled as a practical joke.
—Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025
Kind, 68, reflected on one of his friend’s practical jokes on the June 9 episode of the Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 June 2025
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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
They got engaged on April Fool’s Day Matheson and Spencer got engaged on April 1, with a proposal that doubled as a practical joke.
—Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025
Kind, 68, reflected on one of his friend’s practical jokes on the June 9 episode of the Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical%20joke. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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