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
Baseball players are notorious for playing practical jokes on one another.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
This dangling face flesh may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a practical joke, but it is actually packed with purpose.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Following the hatch opening by Suni Williams, the ship's bell was rung as the new arrivals floated in, shook hands and hugged the Expedition 72 crew after Hague's practical joke.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 16 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
This dangling face flesh may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a practical joke, but it is actually packed with purpose.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Following the hatch opening by Suni Williams, the ship's bell was rung as the new arrivals floated in, shook hands and hugged the Expedition 72 crew after Hague's practical joke.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 16 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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The Squad created fun and silly content, from lip-syncs and pranks to skits and viral challenges.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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The son quickly called his mom, who confirmed the ticket wasn’t a prank.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The company, which sells hot and iced coffee, tea, shakes, as well as burritos and tacos, also hosts classes to teach dogs tricks.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Another simple trick to avoid seeming evasive: Answer questions with yes or no, first; get into the explanation afterwards.—
Rob Davis,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And, much to my surprise, our northern lights experience wasn’t over quite yet; the journey from Abisko back to Stockholm often provides travelers with one last treat.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2025
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Keep your Hall of Fame career in a strange city and give me the Crawford experience, please.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Legend of Ochi Clearly inspired by kid-centric ’80s adventure films like E.T., The Legend of Ochi tries to reach those heights as a young girl defies her father (Willem Dafoe) and teams up with a baby Ochi (a cutesy primate-looking creature) to return it to its homeland.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
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Know that there’s a sense of adventure whispering in the winds.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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