siccing

Ordering an attack

Siccing is commanding an animal—usually a dog—to attack or chase someone: She was siccing her German shepherd on the mailman.

The spelling sicking also appears.

Extended to any aggressive pursuit: They're siccing their lawyers on us.

From the command "sic 'em," itself from seek.

commanding

attack

Aggressive act against another

pursuitAct of chasing something
chaseRapid following of quarry
unleashingSetting free forcefully

directing · sending · ordering · targeting · dispatching · releasing · commanding · setting upon · loosing · hounding

intimidation

menacing

Conveying threat or danger

threateningExpressing intent to harm
bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
coercionPressured compliance through threats

terrorizing · pressuring · harassment · fearmongering · dominance · deterrence · scare tactics · overbearing · strongarming · browbeating

protection

guarding

Actively protecting something

defendingProtecting against harm
patrollingMonitoring by traversing
watchingActively looking at something

escorting · safeguarding · securing · warding · sentinel · watchdog · home defense · property protection

aggression

attacking

Actively engaging offensively

maulingViolent tearing attack
bitingHarshly critical or cold
corneringForcing into position

pursuing · hounding · savaging · going after · lunging · snarling · barking · charging

Opposites

command to attack vs. command to stop/restrain

siccingcalling off

Withdrawing from commitment

restraining · holding back · leashing · heeling · recalling

unleashing vs. holding back

siccingrestraining

Holding something back

containing · suppressing · holding · keeping back · controlling

aggression encouragement

siccingcalming

Inducing a settled state

pacifying · soothing · protecting · shielding · defending

Family

sick, sickness, sickly, sickening, sicken, sicker, sickest, sic, sickliness

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG