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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prank
Jason Hughes, who worked at North Hall High School as a math teacher, died Friday night after being run over by one of the teenagers involved in the prank.
—
Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Five North Hall High students were arrested after going to math teacher Jason Hughes’ Gainesville home armed with toilet paper to carry out a long-standing prank tradition.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Amanda and Oliver attempt to get Eloise to leave by way of some nasty pranks, but Book Eloise remains undeterred and, in fact, loves the challenge of trying to both one-up and win over the twins.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
Fashion audiences have been skeptical or even suspicious of his work, accusing Demna of designing these enormous sneakers and blobby silhouettes to play some kind of prank on rich people delusional enough to buy the stuff.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prank
Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Five North Hall High students were arrested after going to math teacher Jason Hughes’ Gainesville home armed with toilet paper to carry out a long-standing prank tradition.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
In the novel, Amanda and Oliver attempt to get Eloise to leave by way of some nasty pranks, but Book Eloise remains undeterred and, in fact, loves the challenge of trying to both one-up and win over the twins.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
Fashion audiences have been skeptical or even suspicious of his work, accusing Demna of designing these enormous sneakers and blobby silhouettes to play some kind of prank on rich people delusional enough to buy the stuff.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prank
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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Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
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The women’s team declined their joking invitation and had to explain comments directed at them.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 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
Noun
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The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
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Even if the titular exclamation point wasn’t taken straight from the theater musical, it’d be earned via the film’s consistently entertaining escapades.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 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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Advertisement Morrell isn’t the only one to notice the bait-and-switch gag.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
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Join the hilarious hunt this Halloween season, where the only thing sharper than Dracula’s fangs are the gags that’ll leave you in stitches.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Instead, consider leaning into the bagels and lox concept and topping each egg with a few capers or a pinch of everything bagel seasoning.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2026
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Soon, the childhood acquaintances are embarking on a surveillance caper, eavesdropping on a dissident pop star (Rebecca Naomi Jones).—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prank. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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