Definitions

sic

[sik] / sɪk /

ADJECTIVE

verbatim

Synonyms

WEAK

accurately direct directly literally literatim precisely to the letter word-for-word

Antonyms

WEAK

different

ADVERB

literally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actually completely directly plainly precisely really simply truly

WEAK

correctly direct faithfully indisputably letter by letter literatim not figuratively rightly rigorously straight strictly to the letter undeviatingly undisputably unerringly unmistakably verbatim veritably

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully

WEAK

figuratively loosely

CONJUNCTION

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apparently indeed quite then therefore thus too very well

STRONG

hence true

WEAK

accordingly afterward because consequently ergo exact likewise similarly

VERB

egg on

Synonyms

WEAK

agitate arouse drive encourage excite exhort goad incite instigate pique prick prod prompt propel rally spur stimulate stir up urge whip up

Antonyms

WEAK

discourage dissuade hold back talk out of

VERB

goad

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coerce harass hound prod provoke tease

STRONG

animate annoy arouse bully drive encourage excite exhort force goose impel inspirit instigate irritate lash move needle press prick prompt propel push rowel sound spark spur stimulate sting thrust trigger urge whip worry

WEAK

fire up key up put up to turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

leave alone

STRONG

aid block bore calm check deaden depress discourage dissuade halt lull please praise prevent pull quiet repress soothe stop suppress surrender

VERB

prod

Synonyms

STRONGEST

goad motivate prompt propel provoke remind spur stimulate

STRONG

crowd excite exhort goose impel instigate move pique prick push rouse sound spark trigger

WEAK

egg on jog memory stir up turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depress discourage dissuade halt prevent stop

STRONG

calm quiet repress suppress

VERB

prompt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arouse cause convince draw elicit help indicate induce inspire motivate persuade propel provoke spur stimulate suggest urge

STRONG

advise aid assist evoke exhort get goad hint impel imply instigate jog mention move occasion prick prod propose refresh remind

WEAK

bring up call forth egg on give rise to help out talk into win over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm depress discourage dissuade halt hide hinder keep prevent repress stop

STRONG

hurt suppress

VERB

spur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arouse drive propel push spark stimulate stir trigger

STRONG

animate awaken countenance exhort favor goad goose impel instigate press prick prod rally rouse urge

WEAK

egg on fire up key up put up to turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm check discourage dissuade halt repress stop

STRONG

deaden

WEAK

disapprove

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sic of it all is worth a little attention.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2025

Also, if you don’t give Alan Ruck a nomination for his bittersweet turn as billionaire bloviator Connor Roy, I’m gonna sic the Conheads on you.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2023

It won’t matter that Snyder tried to sic a private investigator on the commissioner.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2022

Whatever the substance of his personal feud with Mitchell may be, it comes shortly after his attempt to sic his followers on a journalist after being duped by a fake Twitter account.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2021

Had Henry got scared, tried to sic the FBI on me?

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

sic

Example Sentences

Related Words