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prank

noun

ˈpraŋk How to pronounce prank (audio)
Definition of pranknext
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

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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 After the film’s theatrical release on June 26, the decades-long saga of pranks and tomfoolery is finally coming to an end. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 In it, Simpson pulled pranks on strangers dressed as a Ford Bronco salesman, a durag-wearing rapper, a pizza delivery man, an Elvis Presley impersonator and an elderly, white man. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 The prank came amid rumors about Stern’s impending retirement and the cancellation of his show. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 While many of the posts may be intended as a prank or hoax, officials say the trend has become more concerning as some posts have named specific schools, communities, or students and included threatening language. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prank
  1. trick
  2. joking
  3. adventure
  4. escapade
  5. experience
  6. gag
  7. caper
Noun
  • Also, that Frodo Baggins camera trick makes Katie look even tinier in the turret.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • If the extent of your lawn care consists of blowing leaves off a patio every now and then, a DeWalt leaf blower (or even a simple broom) will do the trick.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, at lunch, instead of separating into groups to eat, all 16 participants form one mega table and spend the half-hour joking and laughing together.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of joking
Noun
  • The project is envisioned as a choose-your-own-adventure experience that places audiences inside Sunshine’s world, expanding the film’s questions around agency, complicity, and choice beyond the screen.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Verbinski finally pulled himself out of career oblivion with the gonzo sci-fi action-adventure Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of adventure
Noun
  • Check out even more Amazon travel finds to shop ahead of your fall escapades.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Now roughly two weeks later, Netflix has made a whole documentary about the escapade.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of escapade
Noun
  • Clemons had served as the founding CEO of both ConnCAT and ConnCORP, turning them into hubs for economic and community revitalization that aimed to center the experiences and needs of residents in New Haven’s Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences The service here is warm rather than formal, which suits the setting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • However, Gonzo never was classified as a specific animal, and the joke turned into a running gag.
    — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Although fewer than half of the productions analyzed were comedies, 80% used narcolepsy as a running gag.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of gag
Noun
  • Third place was Japanese director Sabu’s Arrested Memory, a crime caper about a detective with dementia who unwittingly wanders off with a multimillion-dollar ransom, sending cops and criminals on his trail.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
  • To serve it as part of a larger menu, consider following it up with salmon—try Martha’s pan-seared salmon fillets with caper-lemon compound butter.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of caper

Browse Nearby Words

prancing
prank
prankish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prank. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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