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
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
Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
To up its ante ever-so-slightly, layer in Rixo’s leopard-print coat.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2025
View 3 Images France has upped to ante in the quest for fusion power by maintaining a plasma reaction for over 22 minutes – a new record.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ante
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Noun
The color and design of these goggles are enough to up my ante, though.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
To up its ante ever-so-slightly, layer in Rixo’s leopard-print coat.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
Yet both the new gold card and the EB-5 program have a common goal: Attracting foreign capital by allowing rich non-citizens to ante up in exchange for a U.S. residency visa.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2025
View 3 Images France has upped to ante in the quest for fusion power by maintaining a plasma reaction for over 22 minutes – a new record.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ante
Cite this Entry
“Ante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ante. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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