1
: a poker stake usually put up before the deal to build the pot
The dealer called for a dollar ante.
anted; anteing
: pay up
—usually used with up
The dealer waited until everyone had anted up before he dealt the cards.
1
a
: prior : earlier
antedate
b
: anterior : forward
anteroom
2
: prior to : earlier than
antediluvian
Synonyms
Examples of ante in a Sentence
Noun
the base price is $500, but any additional repairs will up the ante
Verb
Did everyone at the table ante?
Everyone anted up a dollar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
But the latest generation of tech billionaires, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, have upped the ownership ante by creating new style parameters and technologies that have pushed superyacht design forward.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens just need to ante up and pay defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, who could command $20 million per year.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ante 
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Noun
As a bonus: Already the ne plus ultra of mother-daughter cringe comedy, Kath & Kim manages nevertheless to up the absurdist ante with the fact that Turner and Craig are just one year apart in age — a surreal detail echoed by one of today’s own cringe cult comedies, PEN15.
—Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
But the latest generation of tech billionaires, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, have upped the ownership ante by creating new style parameters and technologies that have pushed superyacht design forward.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
The Sixers could ante up $50 million to Philadelphia for investments and other pledges in exchange for building a new downtown arena, per terms of a deal Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled on Wednesday.
—Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens just need to ante up and pay defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, who could command $20 million per year.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ante
Dictionary Entries Near ante
Cite this Entry
“Ante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ante. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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