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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Example Sentences
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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 family of a Hall County teacher killed in what investigators say was a prank gone wrong is asking authorities to drop charges against the teens involved.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The longtime teacher knew the teens were coming to pull a prank on him and was waiting to catch them in the act, the family's statement said.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This under-$40 Amazon pick totally does the trick, and even comes with a little matching pouch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The previous reader confirmed that the engine can be remote started with this trick using the key-fob.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The biography examines how Blume’s personal experiences — including her Jewish identity and feminist awakening — directly influenced her beloved young adult novels.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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The backstory South Palms is the second property in the Philippines by MGallery Collection, a boutique hotel brand under Accor that aims to provide luxury accommodations with a strong sense of place via immersive experiences and partnership with local communities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Casani is a legend at JPL and NASA, and his story reads like a combination of a spaceflight adventure, personal memoir, and a pirate's tale.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
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This boy knows how to turn every yard into a playground and every walk into an adventure.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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