Hoax vs. Prank — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
A hoax is a deceptive act meant to trick or mislead, often serious in nature, while a prank is typically a playful trick meant to amuse.
Difference Between Hoax and Prank
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hoax is designed to deceive people, often creating a false belief or scare, and can have serious consequences and implications. On the other hand, a prank is generally intended to be humorous and light-hearted, usually resulting in laughter or mild embarrassment for the victim.
Hoaxes are often elaborate and can involve fake news, forged documents, or other deceitful practices intended to mislead a large audience or specific group. Whereas, pranks are usually smaller in scale, targeting individuals or small groups, and are not meant to cause long-term harm or spread misinformation.
The motive behind a hoax is often malicious or self-serving, such as causing panic, gaining financial profit, or manipulating public opinion. Conversely, the primary goal of a prank is entertainment, often within a social context among friends or for media content.
The impact of a hoax can be widespread, affecting many people and sometimes lasting for a significant period before being debunked. On the other hand, pranks are typically short-lived and reveal their playful intent relatively quickly.
While hoaxes can damage reputations, cause panic, or even influence political and social scenarios, pranks are generally accepted as part of cultural and social interactions, especially where humor and lightheartedness are valued.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To deceive and create false beliefs
To amuse and entertain
Scale
Often large, affecting many people
Usually small, affecting individuals or groups
Consequences
Can be serious, causing harm or misinformation
Generally mild, leading to laughter or mild embarrassment
Intent
Often malicious or for personal gain
Playful and humorous
Duration
Can last a long time until debunked
Short-lived and revealed quickly
Compare with Definitions
Hoax
Fraudulent scheme.
The charity was unfortunately a hoax to siphon funds.
Prank
Light-hearted trickery.
The fake spider prank caused a brief moment of fright.
Hoax
False alert.
The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax, causing unnecessary panic.
Prank
Harmless joke.
The whoopee cushion was a classic prank at the party.
Hoax
Deliberate deception.
The alien autopsy video was a well-known hoax that fooled many.
Prank
Amusing stunt.
The prank involved wrapping his car in plastic wrap.
Hoax
Misleading act.
The hoax involved spreading rumors about a nonexistent virus.
Prank
Comedic setup.
The prank show set up unsuspecting pedestrians for laughs.
Hoax
Deceptive information.
He fabricated a hoax about winning the lottery.
Prank
Playful trick.
They pulled a prank on their teacher by hiding her chair.
Hoax
A hoax is a falsehood deliberately fabricated to masquerade as the truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences, and April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.
Prank
A mischievous trick or practical joke.
Hoax
An act intended to deceive or trick.
Prank
To decorate or dress ostentatiously or gaudily
Was pranked up in his best suit.
Hoax
Something that has been established or accepted by fraudulent means.
Prank
A practical joke or mischievous trick.
He pulled a gruesome prank on his sister.
Hoax
To deceive or cheat by using a hoax.
Prank
(obsolete) An evil deed; a malicious trick, an act of cruel deception.
Hoax
(transitive) To deceive (someone) by making them believe something that has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated.
Prank
(transitive) To perform a practical joke on; to trick.
Hoax
Anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick.
The phone call to the police about a tiger in a tree turned out to be a hoax.
The news story about the pop singer coming to town, unfortunately for his fans, turned out to be a hoax.
Prank
To call someone's phone and promptly hang up
Hey man, prank me when you wanna get picked up.
I don't have your number in my phone; can you prank me?
Hoax
A deception for mockery or mischief; a deceptive trick or story; a practical joke.
Prank
To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously.
Hoax
To deceive by a story or a trick, for sport or mischief; to impose upon sportively.
Prank
(intransitive) To make an ostentatious show.
Hoax
Something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
Prank
(obsolete) Full of gambols or tricks.
Hoax
Subject to a palyful hoax or joke
Prank
To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously; - often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See Prink.
In sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank.
Prank
To make ostentatious show.
White houses prank where once were huts.
Prank
A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic.
The harpies . . . played their accustomed pranks.
His pranks have been too broad to bear with.
Prank
Full of gambols or tricks.
Prank
Acting like a clown or buffoon
Prank
A ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
Prank
Dress or decorate showily or gaudily;
Roses were pranking the lawn
Prank
Dress up showily;
He pranked himself out in his best clothes
Common Curiosities
What is the main purpose of a prank?
To entertain and amuse.
How can one differentiate between a hoax and a prank?
By the intent behind the action and its potential consequences.
Can a prank turn into a hoax?
Yes, if it unintentionally spreads misinformation or causes harm.
How should one react to a prank?
Typically with good humor if it’s harmless and well-intentioned.
What defines a hoax?
A deliberate act intended to deceive.
What are the ethical considerations of pranking?
Ensuring it does not cause distress or harm and is appropriate for the audience.
What are some famous examples of hoaxes?
The Piltdown Man and the War of the Worlds broadcast.
Are hoaxes illegal?
They can be, especially if they cause significant harm or involve fraud.
Why do people create hoaxes?
For various reasons including financial gain, influencing opinions, or causing disruption.
How have digital platforms affected the spread of hoaxes?
They have facilitated the rapid and wide dissemination of hoaxes, increasing the importance of fact-checking.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
