antic
Bit of mischief
An antic is a playful, attention-grabbing act—often silly, exaggerated, or mildly outrageous.
The word usually appears in the plural: The children's antics kept everyone entertained.
Antics can be harmless fun or annoying misbehavior, depending on context and tolerance.
As an adjective, antic describes grotesque or bizarre behavior, though this use is now rare and literary.
A deceitful trick
- japeMocking trick or quip
- caperPrank or pickled bud
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
trick · mischief · tomfoolery · escapade · monkey business · hijinks · practical joke · stunt
Ludicrous, clumsy fool
- jesterRoyal household comedian
- harlequinMasked comic servant character
- foolUnwise, gullible person
- zanyAmusingly absurd
mummer · prankster · trickster · madcap · wag · joker · cutup · farceur
Playful leaping about
- cavortPlay with lively movement
- caperPrank or pickled bud
- rompPlayful, spirited activity
- friskSearch by touch
rollick · skip · leap · bounce · prance · hop · lark · revel
Unpredictable urge or notion
- fancifulImaginatively unrealistic
- zanyAmusingly absurd
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- eccentricUnconventional in character
madcap · unpredictable · outlandish · bizarre · fantastical · absurd · droll · oddball
Drama through gesture alone
- masqueCourtly theatrical entertainment
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
mime · harlequinade · costume · disguise · mask · spectacle · exaggerated · hammy
shenanigan
A deceitful trick
hoax · trick · mischief · tomfoolery · escapade · monkey business · hijinks · practical joke · stunt · lark
buffoon
Ludicrous, clumsy fool
zany · mummer · prankster · trickster · madcap · wag · joker · cutup · farceur · merrymaker
gambol
Playful leaping about
frisk · rollick · skip · leap · bounce · prance · hop · lark · revel · frisk
caprice
Unpredictable urge or notion
eccentric · madcap · unpredictable · outlandish · bizarre · fantastical · absurd · droll · oddball · kooky
pantomime
Drama through gesture alone
- masqueCourtly theatrical entertainment
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
vaudeville · mime · harlequinade · costume · disguise · mask · spectacle · exaggerated · hammy · melodramatic
- antique shopRetailer of aged goods
- antique swordOld weapon for collectors
- antique roseOld cultivated flower variety
- antique finishArtificially aged surface coating
- antique furnitureOld collectible home furnishings
- antique storeRetailer of old valuables