sic

play

\ ˈsik \

Definition of sic

chiefly Scottish variant of such

sic was our Word of the Day on 08/02/2011. Hear the podcast!

sic

play

verb \ ˈsik \

variants: or less commonly sick

Definition of sic

sicced also sicked play \ˈsikt\; siccing also sicking

transitive verb

1 :chase, attack —usually used as a command especially to a dog

sic 'em

2 :to incite or urge to an attack, pursuit, or harassment :set

sicced their lawyers on me

See sic defined for English-language learners

Examples of sic in a Sentence

commanded the pit bull to “sic 'em”

Recent Examples of sic from the Web

Well, right now, federal law does not prevent (sic) us at VA to look at that as an option for veterans.

— polly washburn, The Cannabist, "Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin says MMJ “may be helpful” but hands tied by federal law," 31 May 2017
And that the internet should sic itself on she who committed such a sin, and her alone?

— amy odell, Cosmopolitan, "Kim Kardashian Didn't Just Ruin Taylor Swift, She Ruined Taylor Swift's Squad," 19 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sic

alteration of seek

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1845

See Words from the same year

sic Synonyms

Synonyms

assail, assault, beset, bushwhack, charge, descend (on or upon), go in (on), jump (on), pounce (on or upon), raid, rush, set on, attack (also sick), storm, strike, trash, turn (on)

Related Words

bum-rush, gang up (on), mob, swarm; mug, rob; ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize), waylay; blitz, bomb, bombard, nuke; barrage, cannon, cannonade; bang away (at), batter, buffet, plaster; beleaguer, besiege, press; harry, loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, sack; foray, invade, overrun; envelop, flank

Near Antonyms

cover, defend, guard, protect, secure, shield

sic

play

adverb \ ˈsik , ˈsēk \

Definition of sic

:intentionally so written —used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an original

said he seed [sic] it all

Did You Know?

The adverb sic, usually enclosed in brackets, is a word editors use in the reproduction of someone else's speech or writing to indicate that an unexpected form exactly reproduces the original and is not a copier's mistake. Sic comes from Latin, in which it means "so" or "thus." Though it's a useful tool, some usage commentators feel it is bad manners to use a sic to needlessly call attention to someone's error or to deride the language of a less-educated person.