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
Davidson, who people used to call ‘Fuck off John,’ does suffer from coprolalia, or involuntary swearing, but that just one of tics that are part of his condition.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
According to the Cleveland Clinic, PANDAS, or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, refers to a group of symptoms — such as tics and obsessive-compulsive behavior — that is thought to affect kids who've had strep infections.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
These death-spiral sequences are bluntly shot in and out of focus by cinematographer Doug Emmett to capture a fraying state of mind, if James’ actorly tics and frittering weren’t enough to indicate that.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
According to the Cleveland Clinic, PANDAS, or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, refers to a group of symptoms — such as tics and obsessive-compulsive behavior — that is thought to affect kids who've had strep infections.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
These death-spiral sequences are bluntly shot in and out of focus by cinematographer Doug Emmett to capture a fraying state of mind, if James’ actorly tics and frittering weren’t enough to indicate that.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
-
Seven of the 12 finalists fell in their first run in snowy conditions, which made landing tricks more of a challenge.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Van Der Beek, twisting his remarkable life into a piece of comedy, pulled the same kind of trick.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
What should be an elite trait for Minnesota is currently notably average.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In vacating the life prison term in 2024, Cook County Judge Marc Martin found in part that Modrowski had been unfairly portrayed as emotionless and cold during his 1995 trial and sentencing proceedings when the characteristics were likely due to his autism.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
And what physical characteristics is law enforcement focusing on that might help people locate them?—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their clothing, gait and small details such as mannerisms can give a person away.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That process began by Pidgeon working closely with the movement coach Julia Crockett to get some of her mannerisms down.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gu qualified for the women's slopestyle final on Saturday wearing an outfit full of details inspired by her Chinese heritage and her own personal quirks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But many of the quirks of the house came via Jackie Seiden, who taught art classes for children at SAIC and is now in her late 80s and residing in senior living.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the measure of success for the second-year quarterback is simply getting more in tune with the idiosyncrasies of NFL life.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Several sources close to the players say Arbeloa understands the idiosyncrasies and dynamics of the dressing room and the club better than Alonso did.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lulu’s eccentric confidence — or, better put, her confidence in her own eccentricity — carves out a space for her in an episode that’s otherwise fairly plain, all without a whiff of judgement.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Without clinginess or intensity, attraction becomes a result of one’s individuality, confidence and eccentricity.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For people managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease, that combination can push eating habits in the wrong direction.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Runners, instead, should avoid habits like taking them before a race or a hard workout.—
Dan England,
Outside,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
