prank call
Telephonic practical joke
A prank call is a phone call made as a joke, typically to a stranger, involving false pretenses, absurd questions, or attempts to provoke a reaction: We made prank calls to random numbers asking if their refrigerator was running.
The practice peaked before caller ID made anonymity difficult.
As a verb, to prank call someone is to place such a call.
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
punchline · giggle · amusement · entertainment · playful · lighthearted · jest · jape
Identity-concealing alteration
- impersonationPretending to be another
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
con · mislead · deceit · phony · charade · hoax · spoof · fabrication
Deliberate deception for effect
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- troublemakingDeliberately causing discord
naughtiness · impishness · high jinks · monkeyshines · roguery · rascality · juvenile · joker
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- startleFrighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- bewildermentState of being baffled
annoyance · irritation · frustration · anger · disbelief · embarrassment · flustered · speechless
Cause of aggravation
- pesteringPersistent unwanted attention
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- unwantedNot wished for
anonymous · threatening · stalking · bullying · intimidation · complaint · blocking · reporting
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
funny · punchline · giggle · amusement · entertainment · playful · lighthearted · jest · jape · wit
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- impersonationPretending to be another
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
trickery · con · mislead · deceit · phony · charade · hoax · spoof · fabrication · voice changer
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
troublemaking · naughtiness · impishness · high jinks · monkeyshines · roguery · rascality · juvenile · joker · trickster
surprise
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- startleFrighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
bewilderment · annoyance · irritation · frustration · anger · disbelief · embarrassment · flustered · speechless · gotcha
nuisance
Cause of aggravation
- pesteringPersistent unwanted attention
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- disturbanceDisruption of order
unwanted · anonymous · threatening · stalking · bullying · intimidation · complaint · blocking · reporting · illegal
- false alarmsfire drill, car alarm, smoke detector, cry wolf, false positive
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
- phone callsphone number, robocall, cell number, mobile number, home phone
- prankspranks, practical jokes, trickster, jokester, mischief
- callscallback, long distance, voicemail, busy signal, dial
prank callbusiness call
Professional telephone conversation
follow-up call · appointment reminder · courtesy call · welfare check · return call
prank callemergency call
Urgent contact seeking aid
911 call · distress call · SOS · mayday call · alarm call
call, prank, calling, called, calls, caller, prankster, telephone call, pranking