sic

1 of 3

adverb

ˈsik

ˈsēk

Synonyms of sic next

: 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

sic

2 of 3

verb

ˈsik

variants or less commonly sick

sicced also sicked ˈsikt

; siccing also sicking

transitive verb

: chase, attack

—usually used as a command especially to a dog

sic 'em

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

sicced their lawyers on me

sic

3 of 3

ˈsik

chiefly Scottish variant of such

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.

Examples of sic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This is insane and truely [sic] a hazard to other people around you. —

WIRED, 17 Oct. 2023 There are no moral victories, there are (sic) no anything. —

Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023 This is the ingredient for mass casualty event (sic). —

Gabrielle Settles, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023 The franchise's latest spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, which sics its shambling hordes on New York City, premieres this summer. —

Christian Holub, EW.com, 11 May 2023 On global politics, Trump had glowing praises for rulers for whom, if any Democrat had shared equal sentiments, Fox would sic every host and anchor onto them for months. —

Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023 Tell you [sic] wife. —

Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, 2 May 2023 Keeping in touch with all concerned people and will do our outmost [sic], even under the current circumstances, to return the passports as soon as possible. —

Sana Noor Haq, CNN, 28 Apr. 2023 Remember this is your life to [sic]! —

Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.