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
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Recent Examples of practical joke
Baseball players are notorious for playing practical jokes on one another.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
This dangling face flesh may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a practical joke, but it is actually packed with purpose.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Following the hatch opening by Suni Williams, the ship's bell was rung as the new arrivals floated in, shook hands and hugged the Expedition 72 crew after Hague's practical joke.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Editor’s picks Looked at in the context of Lynch’s larger career — among the most remarkable in film history, but also among the most idiosyncratic — such wide-sweeping popularity almost feels like a practical joke by the universe on David Lynch, or perhaps vice versa.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
This dangling face flesh may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a practical joke, but it is actually packed with purpose.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Following the hatch opening by Suni Williams, the ship's bell was rung as the new arrivals floated in, shook hands and hugged the Expedition 72 crew after Hague's practical joke.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Editor’s picks Looked at in the context of Lynch’s larger career — among the most remarkable in film history, but also among the most idiosyncratic — such wide-sweeping popularity almost feels like a practical joke by the universe on David Lynch, or perhaps vice versa.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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Joe Berton, the man whom Sports Illustrated photographed to depict a fictional Mets mega-prospect in an instant-classic April Fools Day story, visited Citi Field on Tuesday in recognition of the prank’s 40th anniversary.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
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Manager Emma Hayes was, at least in the moment, less impressed with the prank.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
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So while the cutting hardware isn’t anything particularly new, eufy packs in a few software tricks that make its robot lawn mowers stand out.—
Anthony Karcz,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What began as a membership club has facilitated 1,000+ job placements and helped members secure over $800,000 in funding while building partnerships with global brands like Apple, Nike, and L'Oréal. Also driven by personal experience is Ba Linh Le, 28.—
Brianne Garrett,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Sachs spoke at that event, appearing and sounding emotional on stage while eulogizing the young officer, a military veteran who had about two years of experience on the police force.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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If you're all set to capture your adventures, the DJI Osmo Action 4 will make sure your footage stands out.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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By combining robotics, AI and clean energy, Kawasaki is imagining a future where adventure meets sustainability.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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