as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
told the prankish lad that someone would eventually get hurt if he kept it up
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Recent Examples of prankish
In person, Wood is funny but sedate, speaking in a deadpan carried along by a prankish undercurrent.
—
Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Fuchs put a prankish spin on the descending octaves that tootle above the reprise of the symphony’s solemn opening.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
While Gandhi begins his pursuit with a largely prankish approach, his film (and the gimmick anchoring it) surprisingly illuminates what some people gain from becoming part of a communal family.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024
The movie alternates between prankish laughs and visual poetry.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The tone of the music is dark and hellish mixed with silly and prankish.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024
Think of him on Hot 97 with a straight face, occasionally a prankish smirk, pushing a theory that Ray J is a pivotal influence on all of Black culture.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 16 Feb. 2024
By Spencer Kornhaber January 31, 2024, 7 AM ET
The comeback single for the prankish rapper Lil Nas X has flopped in the best way possible: by debuting, on the Billboard Hot 100, at No. 69.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2024
During the memorial, speeches by friends and family included little talk of Honest Abe but plenty of tributes to Mann’s wit, intelligence, prankish spirit and love of New York City.
—Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Fuchs put a prankish spin on the descending octaves that tootle above the reprise of the symphony’s solemn opening.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
While Gandhi begins his pursuit with a largely prankish approach, his film (and the gimmick anchoring it) surprisingly illuminates what some people gain from becoming part of a communal family.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024
The movie alternates between prankish laughs and visual poetry.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The tone of the music is dark and hellish mixed with silly and prankish.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024
Think of him on Hot 97 with a straight face, occasionally a prankish smirk, pushing a theory that Ray J is a pivotal influence on all of Black culture.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 16 Feb. 2024
By Spencer Kornhaber January 31, 2024, 7 AM ET
The comeback single for the prankish rapper Lil Nas X has flopped in the best way possible: by debuting, on the Billboard Hot 100, at No. 69.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2024
During the memorial, speeches by friends and family included little talk of Honest Abe but plenty of tributes to Mann’s wit, intelligence, prankish spirit and love of New York City.
—Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prankish
Adjective
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Michelle Trachtenberg's fans are remembering her in one of her most mischievous roles.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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Addressing his health issues and impact of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, the film showcases the central role music continues to play in Ozzy’s life, also proving his mischievous sense of humor remains resolutely intact, despite it all.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2025
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Cancer had snatched his leg with a wicked arm tackle.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This neon green swimsuit is the epitome of all of these elements, with a playful cutout across the torso and a high-cut waist to flash some skin.—
Madison Yauger,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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As innocent and playful as most of the interactions between the fans were, Goggin felt the wider implications that the game carried seemed somewhat lost on his American counterparts.—
Dan Robson,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prankish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prankish. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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