Thesaurus results for PRACTICAL JOKE

practical joke

noun

Definition of practical joke

as in prank

a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke friends had left the risqué message on his voice mail as a practical joke

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 practical joke As trade envoy, Andrew became known for practical jokes and off-color remarks, which British diplomats had to tolerate because of his titles. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026 At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025 This is all some practical joke that’s being played on me. — Michael Nied, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Jordan had thought he’d been set up for a practical joke. — Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for practical joke

Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke

Noun

Eric André and Schulz were always making jokes and filming prank videos.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors say Canadian visitor Mitchell Fairbarn took Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas habitat in a drunk prank and injured the bird; his lawyer says Fairbarn never intended harm.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

Today, our constructor has reached into his evidently limitless bag of tricks to pull out a doozy of a Thursday grid.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Serving as president since 2024—just months after the team was first created—Smith has helped build the franchise from the ground up, overseeing everything from its business operations to the fan experience.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Brown, Gibbs argued, has the experience necessary to represent rural Ohioans at the federal level.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of experience

Noun

There is an altruistic component that draws these people to the road, a belief that their adventures can contribute to social good.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Before striking out on adventure, head to Snake River Roasting Company for a small-batch specialty coffee and hearty breakfast burrito.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of adventure

Browse Nearby Words

practicality

practical joke

practical joker

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of practical joke

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on practical joke

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes