as in pranks
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
we'll have no more of your antics, so just settle down
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Recent Examples of antics
On Saturday night, attendees at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner will thrill to the antics of Oz Pearlman, a renowned mentalist who dazzles audiences with mind-reading tricks.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
In the lead-up to the matchup in Detroit, the ESPN broadcast shared a live shot of members of the Magic partaking in some pre-game antics.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Many of the players have a large following on social media and have gone viral for their antics during the games.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
His parents and siblings have also been captured getting a kick out of the 8-year-old's hilarious antics.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Between his antagonizing antics and soul-shaking shot-making, CJ McCollum needed only two playoff games to achieve Knicks villain status.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The basketball should never take a backseat to halftime entertainment or Benny the Bull’s antics.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Social Media Can’t Stop Swooning Over Polar Bear The video’s comment section quickly filled with viewers charmed by the bear’s playful antics.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Just before Tokischa’s new sun rose, the built-for-kitipo singles and onstage antics continued, but something was changing.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
In the lead-up to the matchup in Detroit, the ESPN broadcast shared a live shot of members of the Magic partaking in some pre-game antics.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Many of the players have a large following on social media and have gone viral for their antics during the games.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
His parents and siblings have also been captured getting a kick out of the 8-year-old's hilarious antics.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Between his antagonizing antics and soul-shaking shot-making, CJ McCollum needed only two playoff games to achieve Knicks villain status.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The basketball should never take a backseat to halftime entertainment or Benny the Bull’s antics.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Social Media Can’t Stop Swooning Over Polar Bear The video’s comment section quickly filled with viewers charmed by the bear’s playful antics.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Just before Tokischa’s new sun rose, the built-for-kitipo singles and onstage antics continued, but something was changing.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antics
Noun
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And compared to some of Fleury’s past pranks on teammates, a few misplaced letters on a nameplate would be relatively light.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
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Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His incredulity about their increasingly risky adventures—this is the one that involves a Pontiac Fiero in outer space—becomes one of the film’s running gags.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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Shore Excursions Shore excursions range from highly active adventures to more sedate cultural experiences.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The few works in the show depicting Stojka’s experiences before and after internment capture the particularity of Romani life.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Where’s the respect for each other and each other’s experiences?—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antics. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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