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
The Timberwolves were up 2-1 against their bitter rivals, and there was DiVincenzo, playing pranks and laughing devilishly.
—
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Shortly after midnight on May 25, prosecutors said the same group of teens were driving around San Mateo pulling pranks on classmates from Hillsdale High School.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 14 May 2026
This send-off mixes new stunts with archival footage, promising the usual outlandish pranks and blunt-force impacts to sensitive bodily regions.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 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
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
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
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Shortly after midnight on May 25, prosecutors said the same group of teens were driving around San Mateo pulling pranks on classmates from Hillsdale High School.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 14 May 2026
This send-off mixes new stunts with archival footage, promising the usual outlandish pranks and blunt-force impacts to sensitive bodily regions.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pranks
Noun
-
In the middle, a Cartman in the role of a Midtown tax adviser dispenses accounting tips and tricks, culled from a YouTube account run by a real-life New York CPA.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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That makes many older attack tricks harder to pull off.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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As more travelers ditch tourist traps in favor of authentic experiences, craft markets have become one of the most rewarding ways to see the real side of a destination — and bring home a souvenir that actually means something.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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The customer then lays down on the bed and first experiences a dry scalp massage and a massage of their neck and upper shoulders while settling in.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Noun
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There are also programs based on nutrition, creative expression, and physical adventures.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
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This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Of course, social media is a driving factor, but in recent years, viewers are coming not only for the game but also for the antics and the players behind them.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
One obvious difference between Major League Baseball and the Banana Ball League is the antics in between.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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Co-director McKenna Harris revealed that there were a few more gags that didn’t make it into the film.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Noun
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The Trojans, who’ve lost four of their last five games, must beat Lamar University on Saturday to keep their season alive.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Pending the rest of the weekend’s games, Summit FC stands in eighth place in the NWSL ahead of a 35-day break.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Wild king salmon topped with tomatoes, olives and capers was accessorized with a puff pastry in the shape of a cartoon fish.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Add mushrooms and capers; reduce heat to medium-low to heat it back up.—
Judy Bart Kancigor,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pranks. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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