acrobatics

noun

ac·​ro·​bat·​ics ˌa-krə-ˈba-tiks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: the art, performance, or activity of an acrobat

2

: a spectacular, showy, or startling performance or demonstration involving great agility or complexity

Synonyms

• fireworks
• pyrotechnics

Examples of acrobatics in a Sentence

an operatic role that gives the coloratura the opportunity to indulge in a goodly amount of vocal acrobatics

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite Atwater’s well-deserved reputation for running racist campaigns, there were friendly private notes and photos of him with Al Sharpton and James Brown, whose onstage acrobatics Atwater was famous for trying to mimic in his own blues-guitar performances. —Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 6 May 2021

Each player controls a car capable of impossible acrobatics inside an arena where gravity and physics are apparently set to ludicrous mode. —WIRED, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

acrobat + -ics

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

acrobatics

singular or plural noun

ac·​ro·​bat·​ics ˌak-rə-ˈbat-iks 

1

: the art or performance of an acrobat

2

: stunts of or resembling those of an acrobat

airplane acrobatics