as in tricks
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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Recent Examples of pranks
Like trick-or-treating, ding-dong-ditch pranks can escalate, with some versions targeting the same homeowner repeatedly or battering on a door in a threatening manner.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Harry's sense of humor and ability to give zesty one-liners connect him with the Mercurial sign, which has a flair for sarcasm, pranks, jokes and communication.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Mikko Hypönnen, a longtime cybersecurity researcher who worked with F-Secure and WithSecure, opened his speech by recounting his days of keeping viruses and worms, which were made by random kids as pranks, on floppy disks.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Harry's sense of humor and ability to give zesty one-liners connect him with the Mercurial sign, which has a flair for sarcasm, pranks, jokes and communication.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Mikko Hypönnen, a longtime cybersecurity researcher who worked with F-Secure and WithSecure, opened his speech by recounting his days of keeping viruses and worms, which were made by random kids as pranks, on floppy disks.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pranks
Noun
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From sleight-of-hand tricks to daring stunts, the afternoon is designed to keep the laughs and gasps coming.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even if your furry friend has already mastered the obedience basics, try adding some new party tricks to their command repertoire.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Andrew Ackley, assistant chief of the agency's Uniform Division, said those experiences underscored how much tactics must change as threats evolve.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
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That’s because people expect good experiences.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Idaho is known for its mountains, rivers and outdoor adventures, but reliable and affordable internet is also widely available across the state.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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The non-dialog animation targets 2-8s and their families and seeks to deliver soft education values through humorous adventures, which involve the titular Booba.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The rest of the clip features a montage of road trip antics and coming-of-age escapades, all of it culminating at a Green Day show.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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The most famous of them, Clay Henry, became a Texas legend for his beer-drinking antics and his unlikely role as the town’s leader.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The rest of the clip features a montage of road trip antics and coming-of-age escapades, all of it culminating at a Green Day show.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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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
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The humor, much like its source material, tries to be as delightfully zany as possible, packed with slapstick gags for kids and sly meta jokes for parents.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Charlotte has now only managed a total of 14 points in two games.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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Josh Moore, a graduate of West Broward High, caught one pass for seven yards and has three catches for 15 yards in two games.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some versions add preserved lemon, anchovies, capers or tomatoes.—
CAROLE KOTKIN,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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The pulp is mixed with sour cream, capers, mustard and a few other key ingredients that will not leave guests missing a traditional potato salad.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pranks. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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