as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tic
But when Mayhem’s versatility starts to feel like the artist second-guessing her own musical tics, the album flashes its credentials as a member of a class of artists concerned with the future of their creative legacies.
—
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025
But often the metaphors seem something of a tic, and a tiresome one.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Additionally, his son, then 5, exhibited motor and verbal tics, and was diagnosed with asthma, after living in the apartment.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
For leaders aiming to inspire trust and clarity, neuroscience offers practical insights into why these verbal tics matter and how to reduce them.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025
But often the metaphors seem something of a tic, and a tiresome one.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Additionally, his son, then 5, exhibited motor and verbal tics, and was diagnosed with asthma, after living in the apartment.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
For leaders aiming to inspire trust and clarity, neuroscience offers practical insights into why these verbal tics matter and how to reduce them.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
-
Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But back to the task at hand: One trick to schooling yourself while keeping things fun is taking a tour — or a few of them.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Experts debated the connection, but by 2001 paleontologists uncovered early whale ankle bones that possessed traits only seen among artiodactyls.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
-
In an era of constant change, global complexity and ever-rising expectations, trust has become the defining trait of exceptional leadership.—
Alejandro Bravo,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This is highly specific work that depends on each plantation's unique characteristics, including location, soil type, and coffee variety.—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Both dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, which are part of the same chemical group, have overlapping characteristics, which is why the results can’t definitively differentiate between the two molecules, but future observations might, the study authors said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The actor skillfully plays nine different roles using props, tone, and mannerisms to differentiate the characters, with the compact setting making the action feel all the more intimate.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Top actors preparing for challenging roles often immerse themselves in the character by adopting new accents, attitudes, and mannerisms that feel forced at first.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Here’s a quirk of the European game: Arsenal versus Real Madrid has almost no history behind it.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Japan has some idiosyncrasies about its business culture that make faxing essential, such as the use of a personal seal or hanko, which is used in place of a personal signature, as well as the high value assigned to documents.—
Tamsin Gable,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
In other fields, support specialists identify high-maintenance clients (for example, mechanics understand machine idiosyncrasies, and legal analysts learn which regulations require extra scrutiny).—
Rajesh Rajagopalan,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Lives Lived: John Peck, known as the Mad Peck, was a cultural omnivore whose work as an underground cartoonist, artist, critic and disc jockey had a dry humor and an ornate eccentricity.—
German Lopez,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
In a stroke of luck, however, the two features have aligned to create a satisfying image that is helping scientists understand the eccentricities of star formation.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This highlights the immense impact of AI on people’s spending habits.—
Roman Eloshvili,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Digestive issues: If protein intake is high and fiber intake is low, changes in bowel habits, like constipation or diarrhea, may occur.—
Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share