antic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of anticnext
1
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter antic shenanigans that made me nearly fall over with laughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playful
given to good-natured joking or teasing an antic group of kids at summer camp

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

antic

2 of 2

noun

ˈan-tik How to pronounce antic (audio)
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke we'll have no more of your antics, so just settle down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of antic
Adjective
Black comedy is among the hardest tones to nail, and if there was a single knowing wink from the actors or even a soupçon of exaggeration in the execution, the whole thing could simply become too tiresomely antic to be actually funny. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026 The grid of four tiles features an illustration of a fanciful townhouse, along with drawings inspired by the comic book Archie’s Madhouse and antic cells from Donald Duck and The Katzenjammer Kids. — Carolina A. Miranda, The New York Review of Books, 22 May 2026
Noun
The frantic antics and manic-yet-precise playing at times jaw-dropping. — Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 July 2026 Unfortunately, their disdain for practical jokes has not stopped Clooney from roping them into his antics. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for antic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antic
  1. humorous
  2. playful
  3. prank
  4. comedic
  5. trick
  6. funny
  7. comical
  8. amusing
Adjective
  • This American Life, the legendary weekly podcast featuring compelling, humorous, and deeply human stories about everyday life, is still going strong.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • And a podcast called Greeking Out from NatGeo offers a humorous spin on ancient Greek myths for kids and even includes fun historical tidbits.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Though the playful space has no actual dock or access to the nearby Chao Phraya, the river’s blue waters and blue-orange tugboats influenced the hotel’s color scheme and other touches.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • August is your last chance to embrace summer’s brightest manicure trends, from juicy hues to playful nail art.
    — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026
Definition of playful
Noun
  • The tradition dates to Glasgow, where placing bright orange traffic cones atop public statues began as a late-night prank in the 1980s before evolving into an unofficial symbol of the country’s irreverent humor.
    — Leah Willingham, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Baudrillard is playing a little textual prank on us, inserting the simulacrum of a quotation into a book about simulacra.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of prank
Adjective
  • The humor — especially in terms of the comedic timing — absolutely sparkles in this production helmed by director Charles Pasternak.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • Bootycandy is a series of comedic scenes primarily following the character of Sutter, a gay Black man growing from adolescence to manhood.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 July 2026
Definition of comedic
Noun
  • Les Bleus were then a penalty shootout away from retaining it four years later when a Mbappe hat-trick improbably wasn’t enough to ensure France became the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Small styling tricks can help create movement, texture, and add visual interest—and one of those is reflexing.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • In reality, admissions officers routinely remember essays that are joyful, funny, intellectually playful, or quietly reflective.
    — Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Besides being a talented singer, Babyface is also a funny and engaging performer.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • For the right family, a Samoyed can be an affectionate, comical and deeply engaging companion.
    — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • Indeed, Grozeva and Valchanov’s sly ability to shift tones from ripely comical to appalling is one of their defining features as filmmakers, along with a penchant for weird and wacky side characters.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of comical
Adjective
  • The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly.
    — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
  • There’s also plenty of family time captured, including an amusing bye week trip to Manhattan — complete with a subway trip — to watch two of Emily’s brothers run the New York Marathon.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Definition of amusing

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Cite this Entry

“Antic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antic. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of antic for Spanish Speakers

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