The word 'practical joke' refers to a prank or trick played on someone for amusement. However, there are various synonyms available that can be used in place of this word. Some of the most popular synonyms for practical joke include 'hoax', 'gag', 'mischief', 'trickery', 'deception', 'merriment', 'tomfoolery', 'jest', and 'shenanigans'. These words can be used to describe a wide range of funny tricks played on friends or colleagues, such as fake lottery tickets, fake spider pranks, and many others. So, if you want to switch things up a bit, try incorporating some of these synonyms into your vocabulary when talking about pranks and jokes, and surprise your friends with your newfound linguistic skills!