as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tic
Instead, Hackman leaned into physicality - from facial tics to looks - to portray a scared introvert in one of his most subtle performances that was nevertheless powerful.
—
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
The goal was not to do the most precise impression so much as to feel comfortable enough to forget about doing all the tics and instead live in (and improvise as) the character.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tic
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
The goal was not to do the most precise impression so much as to feel comfortable enough to forget about doing all the tics and instead live in (and improvise as) the character.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
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The company, which sells hot and iced coffee, tea, shakes, as well as burritos and tacos, also hosts classes to teach dogs tricks.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Another simple trick to avoid seeming evasive: Answer questions with yes or no, first; get into the explanation afterwards.—
Rob Davis,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While the natural traits and intellect of Gates and Allen were crucial for Microsoft’s eventual success, so too was their willingness to learn from an early failure and apply themselves in a new venture.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Bill Snellings Self-reliance is a cherished American trait, and men in particular embrace it.—
Ashley Milne-Tyte,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Users still can't control the number of speakers, their demographic characteristics, accents, or conversation length.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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In 2010, for example, literary scholar Julie Brown suggested that renowned American poet Emily Dickinson had characteristics – such as sensory issues, social quirkiness and a savant’s command of language – that align with those of some individuals on the autism spectrum.—
Bradley J. Irish,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These mannerisms trickle down to the organization’s employees.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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Gravitational Lensing Explained The strange, exceedingly rare object was found using one of the strangest quirks of nature — a gravitational lens.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The team is adept at navigating the quirks of historic homes and is able to honor the original details while making the residence work for modern living.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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For the past three seasons, the series has revealed the quirks, impulses, excesses, dysfunctions, nuances and eccentricities of the wealthy against the backdrop of a luxury resort chain and its not-so faceless employees.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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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
Noun
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Consider that in-person work might be a feature, not just a bug, promoting habits that ultimately deliver better physical and mental health outcomes that improve your life.—
John Gallucci Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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California’s governors and legislators have a very bad habit of enacting major programs and projects without fully exploring their downside risks.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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