View synonyms for

antic

[ an-tik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Usually antics.
1. a playful trick or prank; caper.
2. a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.
Archaic.
1. an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.
2. a buffoon; clown.
Obsolete.
1. a grotesque theatrical presentation; ridiculous interlude.
2. a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.

adjective

ludicrous; funny.
fantastic; odd; grotesque:
an antic disposition.

verb (used without object)

anticked, anticking.

Obsolete. to perform antics; caper.

antic

/ ˈæ�Գ�ɪ�� /

noun

archaic.
an actor in a ludicrous or grotesque part; clown; buffoon

adjective

archaic.
fantastic; grotesque

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Other Word Forms

��t��·��·�� adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of antic¹

1520–30; earlier antike, antique < Italian antico ancient (< Latin antīcus, antīquus; antique ), apparently taken to mean “grotesque,” as used in descriptions of fantastic figures found in Roman ruins

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Word History and Origins

Origin of antic¹

C16: from Italian antico something ancient, or grotesque (from its application to fantastic carvings found in ruins of ancient Rome); see antique

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It's the flipside to the loathing for actual art that has been a steady source of right-wing culture war antics.

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Financial diplomats put down the Bessent ascendancy and the critical 90 day pause in the so-called "reciprocal" tariffs to some farcical West Wing antics.

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But those who seek the antics of the “Vanderpump Rules” heyday need not worry.

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The voters were not impressed by his antics or his reprise of the million-dollar lottery gambit.

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First, this season Hurley was a walking distraction at UConn, his angry sideline antics constantly grabbing the headlines and making one wonder how long would he have lasted with the Lakers before completely melting down?

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Related Words

antibusing antical

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