pranking
Pulling a joke
Pranking is playing tricks or practical jokes on others, often for amusement or to capture reactions.
The word gained currency with the rise of internet video culture, where elaborate setups are filmed for entertainment: He got famous pranking strangers in public.
Pranking ranges from harmless fun to mean-spirited harassment, depending on the target's reaction and the prankster's intent.
Deliberate deception
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- conArgument against
- dupeDeceive or victim
fool · bamboozle · hoodwink · deceive · mislead · setup · sting · put-on
Mouth restraint or jest
- jestHumorous remark or act
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- anticLudicrous or playful act
- japeMocking trick or quip
shtick · slapstick · farce · comedy · punchline · wisecrack · practical joke · sight gag
Mischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- high jinksBoisterous, playful behavior
- monkeyshinesFrivolous or mischievous behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
hijinks · impishness · naughtiness · devilry · roguery · troublemaking · escapade · skylarking
Affectionate verbal teasing
- joshingPlayful mocking
- razzingLight mocking banter
- needlingPersistent mild taunting
- good-naturedHaving a friendly temperament
banter · jesting · playful · kidding · ragging · roasting · winding up · having on
Frighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- scareCause sudden fright
- jump scareAbrupt frightening moment
- gotchaExclamation upon catching someone
ambush · unexpected · booby trap · caught off guard · blindside · bombshell · jaw-dropper · reveal
trick
Deliberate deception
dupe · fool · bamboozle · hoodwink · deceive · mislead · setup · sting · put-on · snow job
gag
Mouth restraint or jest
jape · shtick · slapstick · farce · comedy · punchline · wisecrack · practical joke · sight gag · comedic
shenanigans
Mischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- high jinksBoisterous, playful behavior
- monkeyshinesFrivolous or mischievous behavior
antics · hijinks · impishness · naughtiness · devilry · roguery · troublemaking · escapade · skylarking · larks
ribbing
Affectionate verbal teasing
good-natured · banter · jesting · playful · kidding · ragging · roasting · winding up · having on · funning
startle
Frighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- scareCause sudden fright
- jump scareAbrupt frightening moment
gotcha · ambush · unexpected · booby trap · caught off guard · blindside · bombshell · jaw-dropper · reveal · sneak attack
- fooling aroundjoking, kidding, jesting, fooling, teasing
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, antic, shenanigans
- messing aroundfooling, goofing, goofing off, horsing around, messing with
- leisurerecreation, pastimes, downtime, free time, relaxation
- customscustoms, customs clearance, wedding custom, customs declaration, burial custom
prankingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
reassuring · supporting · helping · nurturing · bullying