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
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 pranks
In the midst of one of their classic pranks, Ivy (Temple) and Ollie (Jordan) stumble into a magic flower and awaken in each other's body.
—
Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
And compared to some of Fleury’s past pranks on teammates, a few misplaced letters on a nameplate would be relatively light.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a 2025 roundup of April Fools’ food promotions by the New York Post, several national brands followed Dunkin’s lead by offering tangible rewards instead of traditional pranks.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Although both dates are the perfect excuse for laughs and small scares through pranks, their origins stem from different historical and religious events.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Just don't try anything like these pranks from companies that backfired in spectacular ways.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Here are some of Louisville's April Fools' Day pranks from April 1, 2026.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
Folks would dip dresses and suits in glowing, phosphorescent paint and wear them around town performing various pranks or artistic displays.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
And compared to some of Fleury’s past pranks on teammates, a few misplaced letters on a nameplate would be relatively light.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a 2025 roundup of April Fools’ food promotions by the New York Post, several national brands followed Dunkin’s lead by offering tangible rewards instead of traditional pranks.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Although both dates are the perfect excuse for laughs and small scares through pranks, their origins stem from different historical and religious events.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Just don't try anything like these pranks from companies that backfired in spectacular ways.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Here are some of Louisville's April Fools' Day pranks from April 1, 2026.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
Folks would dip dresses and suits in glowing, phosphorescent paint and wear them around town performing various pranks or artistic displays.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pranks
Noun
-
Talent can be seen everywhere, as some students have been able to incorporate back flips and other tricks to elevate their game.—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Regular Maintenance Is Key Even with helpful tricks and ideal placement, regular cleaning remains the most effective way to keep algae under control.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Many young children missed out on preschool and other social experiences during the pandemic that could have helped prepare them for school.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
The gift of being able to have a character, the same character, over so many years and to have the ability to play all of those different experiences, and the writers did such an incredible job of changing her each time.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
When the Jules Verne Trophy was established in 1990, the target time for sailing non-stop around the world was 80 days, echoing the adventures of Phileas Fogg in Verne’s novel Around the World in 80 Days.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
All Creatures Great and Small – Masterpiece PBS will make its ATX TV Festival debut with a conversation featuring the cast of the long-running fan favorite All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s adventures as a veterinarian in the 1930’s Yorkshire Dales.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Others might even recall some of the fines Smith accumulated for silly antics.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
There’s a good reason for his antics, said Harmon.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
9 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
-
His incredulity about their increasingly risky adventures—this is the one that involves a Pontiac Fiero in outer space—becomes one of the film’s running gags.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There are hyper-local gags about the Williamsburg bar Union Pool and the undesirability of living in the Financial District, and a creature known as Rat Pizza — like Pizza Rat in reverse.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After losing the first two games of a first-place Palomar League showdown, playing poorly in the second game and losing by 12 runs, Mission Hills High School baseball coach Griffin Teisher said his team had one thing on its mind.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Toss sardines into this classic Mediterranean dish with olives, tomatoes, and capers.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
-
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,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pranks. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
