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
For anyone who has ever struggled to learn the notoriously difficult Ottoman language—sometimes described as a practical joke played on historians—forcing it on a generation of schoolchildren might seem like the quickest way for Erdogan to destroy his popularity (and the Ottoman Empire’s as well).
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Nick Danforth, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2015
Each birth anniversary, there’s a well-meaning but hurtful practical joke.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Each birth anniversary, there's a well-meaning but hurtful practical joke.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Ancient Romans and Celts celebrated a festival of practical jokes and pranks around the time of the March equinox.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for practical joke 
Nick Danforth, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2015
Each birth anniversary, there’s a well-meaning but hurtful practical joke.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Each birth anniversary, there's a well-meaning but hurtful practical joke.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Ancient Romans and Celts celebrated a festival of practical jokes and pranks around the time of the March equinox.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for practical joke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practical joke
Noun
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But before either set of students could be comfortable enough to start pulling any pranks, there was a significant adjustment period for both sides.Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024
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With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved — along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The gods prove cruel but not omnipotent, and the modern settings exert their own redemptive pull; the final effect is that of a magic trick, in which the characters manage, in each film’s miraculous closing moments, to slip the bonds of tragedy.Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
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As for the pineapple addition to the drink, eating the fruit is another common, nonmedical trick that people suggest for getting labor started (some people also swear by it when trying to conceive).Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Egypt's extended experience in peacekeeping missions in Africa and elsewhere provides crucial support to the counterterrorism capabilities of the Somali armed forces and the concerted efforts of the Somali government and people to rebuild their country.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, the employee experience category prioritizes talent management, inclusivity and diversity and employee engagement to foster an inclusive workplace.SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Located on the picturesque shores of Leesville Lake in Carrollton, the camp has become synonymous with fun, adventure, and the development of lifelong skills.Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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But the area prides itself on its thirst for adventure and outdoor action, and the area surrounding Lake Annecy is an active traveler’s heaven.Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near practical joke
Cite this Entry
“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practical%20joke. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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