as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
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Recent Examples of tics
Brooks is still wont to assume that social crises are a function of our personal habits, not economic or political injustice, and his methodological tics are the same as ever.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Once Ida is revived, Buckley is rife with tics and guttural asides, switching between rat-a-tat mobster slang and Shelley’s flowery English prose like some postmodern literary Gollum.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
In the mid-2010s, Young Thug borrowed from Future’s melodic blueprint, only for Future to co-opt Thug’s avant-garde vocal tics to get even weirder in his own right.
—Serge Selenou, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
These tics are often associated with more severe symptoms overall, more co-occurring conditions and greater social difficulty.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Once Ida is revived, Buckley is rife with tics and guttural asides, switching between rat-a-tat mobster slang and Shelley’s flowery English prose like some postmodern literary Gollum.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
In the mid-2010s, Young Thug borrowed from Future’s melodic blueprint, only for Future to co-opt Thug’s avant-garde vocal tics to get even weirder in his own right.
—Serge Selenou, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
These tics are often associated with more severe symptoms overall, more co-occurring conditions and greater social difficulty.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tics
Noun
-
Tiffany has a few tricks up its sleeve that aren’t jewelry or limited-edition chronograph, one of which is this shapely teapot.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the tricks learned during this trial can help drivers form some better, cheaper habits to continue when gas prices inevitably decrease again.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The interactive Olaf can speak and engage in conversations, and his mannerisms and characteristics are spot on.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How a child responds to peer pressure can highlight different traits.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
3 Apr. 2026
-
These are seven quietly powerful traits that the most emotionally secure people share.—
Jessica Weiss,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Part of the beauty in these bonds is the ability to be truly seen and known—quirks and all.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
31 Mar. 2026
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That included removing, repairing and replacing the building’s tin roof tiles — which look like clay — and maintaining the original window casings, matching the stucco and preserving quirks like porthole windows.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The interface of the desktop website version includes key mission milestones and characteristics about the moon, including information about landing sites during the Apollo era.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Hegseth exhibits those characteristics, and our soldiers finally have someone to follow.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For Sacramento residents like Isabelle Fama, 24, the steady increase in fuel costs has led her to change certain habits over the last month.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to Dougie, Rockin’ Grandma’s employees all have their eccentricities.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
-
With the exception of the central character played by Judy Greer, all the figures onscreen display the sort of eccentricities that are presumably meant to be either amusing or endearing but instead simply come across as odd.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An analysis of the previous plans by the New York Times pointed out some idiosyncrasies in the design, among them, that its grand staircase didn't lead to the ballroom and there was no door on the side facing the staircase.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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So the city’s idiosyncrasies have always appealed to me.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tics. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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