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
Reba McEntire is a survivor — of six years of pranks!
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
This is an utterly throwaway slice of college comedy, rather more concerned with sports, pranks, and teen/20-something romance than getting lost on the final frontier.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Authorities have cited social media in the trend, with videos of the pranks circulating on TikTok and other platforms.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
And, of course, boarding schools themselves can be immensely silly, dominated by boys’ pranks, rebellions, and mishaps.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
In some cases, the teens hurled objects at other vehicles and posted videos of their pranks on social media.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026
Rose also likes pulling lighthearted pranks to make others laugh.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
CrowdStrike senior vice president of counter adversary Adam Meyers told Fortune these techniques have been honed after years of escalating pranks in video game spaces.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
Tucker, Connor and Carson began rising to TikTok fame in 2019 with their viral videos featuring lifestyle content, family pranks, comedy skits and food and sports challenges.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
This is an utterly throwaway slice of college comedy, rather more concerned with sports, pranks, and teen/20-something romance than getting lost on the final frontier.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Authorities have cited social media in the trend, with videos of the pranks circulating on TikTok and other platforms.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
And, of course, boarding schools themselves can be immensely silly, dominated by boys’ pranks, rebellions, and mishaps.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
In some cases, the teens hurled objects at other vehicles and posted videos of their pranks on social media.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026
Rose also likes pulling lighthearted pranks to make others laugh.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
CrowdStrike senior vice president of counter adversary Adam Meyers told Fortune these techniques have been honed after years of escalating pranks in video game spaces.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
Tucker, Connor and Carson began rising to TikTok fame in 2019 with their viral videos featuring lifestyle content, family pranks, comedy skits and food and sports challenges.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pranks
Noun
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Our focus on our own ingroup makes our brains play tricks on us.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Just another one of his show-stopping tricks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On the domestic front, Vance is deeply affected by his experiences growing up in a small town in middle America, a town that had seen better days.—
Frank DeVito,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The show can be a gentle tool for families to introduce conversations about diverse experiences and voices, helping children see that history is made up of many stories, not just one.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For more of her adventures, delicious finds, and tiny moments, follow along on Instagram @juliaviele.—
Julia Viele,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Full Serpent is intended to offer more of Green’s adventures in a future landscape where the past is always poking through the dust, bubbling over with color and life.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Simbi Khali played Nina Campbell, the sharp-witted assistant who often reacted to the Solomons’ antics with amused disbelief.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Her presence changes the dynamics of his antics, always for the better.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Forget the red Porsches, promiscuous escapades, and questionable clothing choices.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
All Day Tote This roomy tote was made for spontaneous weekend trips and day-long escapades.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One is an exercise that only Sam Raimi could do; the other manages to do an absurd amount of gags despite being burdened with the weight of being a real movie.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Twain, of course, never stooped to fart jokes or hunchback gags in pursuit of a giggle.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The concept of dogfighting amongst the stars has been around far longer than video games set in space, but it's been a linchpin of some of the most seminal games ever developed.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Tempers flared during a recent pair of NBA games, and both contests were marred by tense clashes between players.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
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Add most of the arugula reserving a few leaves for a garnish, the capers, and most of the fresh herb leaves reserving some for a garnish.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pranks. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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