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
During a news conference Thursday, members of the group said the early morning operation was part of an ongoing campaign of harassment, including members being followed home and prank calls on their hotline.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
But these orders weren’t done as a prank, prosecutors say.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The boys, who at the time were 16 and 17 years old, had been driving around San Mateo after midnight to play pranks on their classmates, stopping at Miceli’s house on the 1000 block of Annapolis Drive, prosecutors said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Students entered Christ The King Catholic High School after hours on April 22 to stage a senior prank.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prank
Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
But these orders weren’t done as a prank, prosecutors say.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The boys, who at the time were 16 and 17 years old, had been driving around San Mateo after midnight to play pranks on their classmates, stopping at Miceli’s house on the 1000 block of Annapolis Drive, prosecutors said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Students entered Christ The King Catholic High School after hours on April 22 to stage a senior prank.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prank
Noun
-
And are there any tips and tricks for planning and executing the perfect anti-aging trip?—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes a playful comment, an unexpected reply or a joking callout between brands takes on a life of its own online.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes in your life.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Originally released across platforms like the original PlayStation, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, the titles follow Tommy Pickles and the rest of the gang on adventures ranging from puzzle-solving missions to globe-trotting escapades.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
New escapades come and go, but the structure of their life stays the same — the two of them, moving together.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The reveal runs from players 1 through 26, leaning heavily on props and visual gags to name the squad.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
-
While most of its funny moments fall into overused gags, Jonnie Park and Yvette Nicole Brown are genuine comedic gold as an adorably odd couple that shine on screen together every time.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Add mushrooms and capers; reduce heat to medium-low to heat it back up.—
Judy Bart Kancigor,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
The comedy crime caper follows a crew of professional shoplifters (Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige) who target a cutthroat fashion maven (Demi Moore).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prank. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
