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
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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The festival is rooted in the story of Lord Krishna, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have played pranks by splashing maids with water and colors.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
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It is rooted in the story of Lord Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who played pranks splashing maids with water and colors.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Noun
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And are there any tips and tricks for planning and executing the perfect anti-aging trip?—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
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Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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For a more exclusive experience, book the Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach Stopover that lands right on the shore for a picnic and swim.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Andriy Sirko, the chief neurosurgeon at Mechnikov, told me that no hospital in the world has more experience operating on patients with penetrating brain injuries: Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, his staff has performed roughly 2,500 such surgeries.—
Martha Raddatz,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes in your life.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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There’s also a game-changing adventure district, ADRENA, as well as Saudi’s first 18-hole championship golf course found on an island.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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