as in trick
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
as a prank, several students managed to change all the classroom clocks to different times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prank
And speaking of calming mechanisms, good pranks, and #goals, Oliver Scialdone would like you to click on this link—but you aren’t allowed to ask any further questions.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
In her junior year of high school, Naperville Central basketball coach Andy Nussbaum played an April Fool’s Day prank by announcing over the school PA system that Parker planned to forego her high school eligibility to sign with the New York Liberty.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Swatting is the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.
—Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025
The youngest boy Benny Walter (Lennix James) participated in these shenanigans, as did Jordan (Dean Petriw), who always has his video camera on him to capture documentary-worthy moments like that prank, which stemmed from a bet between Isaac and Cole.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prank
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
In her junior year of high school, Naperville Central basketball coach Andy Nussbaum played an April Fool’s Day prank by announcing over the school PA system that Parker planned to forego her high school eligibility to sign with the New York Liberty.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Swatting is the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.
—Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025
The youngest boy Benny Walter (Lennix James) participated in these shenanigans, as did Jordan (Dean Petriw), who always has his video camera on him to capture documentary-worthy moments like that prank, which stemmed from a bet between Isaac and Cole.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prank
Noun
-
Thus, Last Rites tries a new trick, with the doll growing in size and chasing Judy down a hallway, in a sequence that is strangely reminiscent of Five Nights At Freddy's.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Grandma's favorite time-saving trick is to rely on the trusty the slow-cooker to make sweet, tender onions that require little to no stirring.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Peanut pulled his second escape act, his owners knew where to look and handled Peanut's disappearance in a joking manner.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Multiple outlets that examined the reporting identified the claim as unverified and labeled the story a hoax; Colbert had previously made a joking on-air reference to streaming platforms but had not announced any deal with Netflix.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But these are also comfortable enough to wear on many outdoor adventures, including hikes and walks.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The season is riddled with loose threads that tease more creepy, kooky adventures to come.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the story follows Edwards' escapades in Frankfurt, Geneva, Vienna, Budapest and Munich, Kitsch gives Pratt a partial breather.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Living together at the Carlton Arms Hotel in New York City, the father-daughter duo navigated life, love, and plenty of mischief — with most plots, much like I Love Lucy, centered on Margie’s spirited escapades.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Los Angeles experience consists mostly of such tangential connections and brief grazes of luxury.—
Joe Joyce,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Abu Dhabi experience The new flight lands at Zayed International Airport, which offers a variety of unique experiences for customers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Howard Stern gave fans a head fake early Monday morning with a gag that Andy Cohen had taken over his channel slot on SiriusXM.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Packed with visual gags and a cast of gifted comedic actors, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Economy passengers can expect free meals featuring options like chicken with Japanese curry or a fish fillet with a herb-caper cream sauce, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Under Zlotowski’s guidance, A Private Life caroms from sexy romantic comedy to Hitchcockian mystery to zany amateur-sleuth caper, with Freudian psychology always lurking beneath.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prank. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share