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Synonyms

prankster

American  
[prangk-ster] / ˈpræŋk stər /

noun

  1. a mischievous or malicious person who plays tricks, practical jokes, etc., at the expense of another.

prankster British  
/ ˈpræŋkstə /

noun

  1. a practical joker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prankster

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; prank 1 + -ster

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The possibility that it was a prankster on the radio may not be 0%.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

With that in mind, the shadow cockroach “Angels” projects into your kitchen may be just a bit of Peter Pan-esque play from an inveterate digital prankster.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

He is his own niche, a prankster who holds up a funhouse mirror to humanity and makes you wonder if the resultant image is more revealing than a normal one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Eugene Brown of Menifee is known as a prankster.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

What prankster would waste his money like that?

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.