Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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
so
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

Max doesn't sic goblins on his little sister but he does drag her along on his quest to impress Allison and banish the risen Sanderson sisters.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2022

I’ll sic Houston on opponents until opponents seem to say, Just get me out of here and let me go home.

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2022

But he didn’t come and he didn’t sic ’em.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson