1
as in humorous
causing or intended to cause laughter
antic shenanigans that made me nearly fall over with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The new iteration sees The Cat in the Hat, voiced by Bill Hader, fighting for his job as a professional mischief-maker brought in to cheer up lackluster children after his wild antics go to far.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
While Iceland’s football team made a huge impression on the pitch a decade ago in France, famously beating England 2-1 in the round of 16, the antics of their supporters in the stands were arguably as memorable.
—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The new iteration sees The Cat in the Hat, voiced by Bill Hader, fighting for his job as a professional mischief-maker brought in to cheer up lackluster children after his wild antics go to far.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for antic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antic
Adjective
-
Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly joined Lacoste ambassador and actor Pierre Niney for the humorous promotional film, produced by Niney’s production company.
-
As the search continued, humorous posts imagining where Gracie might show up next spread across social media.
Adjective
-
The bar program is playful, colorful and communal — expect to see a little something for everyone.
-
The playful exchange is the latest glimpse into the couple's famously candid relationship.
Noun
-
Those ticket sales rank as the worst opening in the prank comedy series that’s all about risking life, limb and dignity.
-
Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.
Adjective
-
Ray had a somewhat comedic moment in the bottom of the first, taking a spill after tagging first base when recording a 3-1 putout.
-
Sandler's participation in the newlyweds' wedding ceremony comes nearly a year after the comedic actor co-starred in Happy Gilmore 2 with Kelce, who had a cameo in the sequel film.
Noun
-
The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
-
Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
Adjective
-
Watching improv is reliably funny because performers work without a script.
-
But figuring out how to do all that while being funny at the same time?
Adjective
-
Each installment feels like a fever dream of absurd fear mongering about crime, meant to hype Knightscope’s brand of high-tech surveillance and divorced from reality in unintentionally comical ways.
-
But for all the manosphere poking and parodying, Kyle University isn’t solely there to gather laughs or generate comical confusion.
Adjective
-
Cavill, absent from the proceedings for long stretches, remains a sturdy presence as the most buff screen Sherlock ever, while Helena Bonham Carter is again reliably amusing as Enola and Sherlock’s sardonic mother Eudoria.
-
Elmosnino is an amusing villain, making his most self-serving machinations sound reasonable.
Cite this Entry
“Antic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
