TIC Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

tic

noun

ˈtik

Definition of tic

as in trick

an odd or peculiar habit constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics

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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 Nadal, with a wink, recites the various physical tics involved in his serving routine. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Here, the British actor appears to take on Hansen’s vocal patterns and tics with an eerie, off-kilter precision, as those familiar with the infamous true-crime host can attest. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 The Trumpian superlative tic took his boasts well beyond the general. — Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Y’know, that certain vocal style or guitar tone or even decade-specific production tic that transports us like the meal at the end of Ratatouille to joyous remembrances of times past. — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic

Noun

Les Bleus were then a penalty shootout away from retaining it four years later when a Mbappe hat-trick improbably wasn’t enough to ensure France became the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Small styling tricks can help create movement, texture, and add visual interest—and one of those is reflexing.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Before the pandemic, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine typically saw adults seek ADHD evaluations after recognizing the same traits that led to their child’s diagnosis.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Performance and off-road capability are not the little SUV’s best traits.

— James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Definition of trait

Noun

For black holes, this measure of entropy is connected to characteristics like spin and energy, which means it could be used to understand how these cosmic titans respond to different events.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2026
This is followed by an interview—and then Bending Spoons used hiring algorithms to run an analysis on how the talent scored against both quantitative, and qualitative characteristics.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

While Minetree delivers a charming performance, capturing Elle's bubbly optimism and mannerisms, the show largely fails to add meaningful depth and truly enrich one of pop culture's most enduring heroines.

— Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Instead, Nowell roots the band’s sound in the mid-’90s and keeps his vocal mannerisms as close to Bradley’s as possible.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

Soybeans, by contrast, cover less land, and less of that acreage is irrigated, which, at this scale, matters more than the quirks of individual plants.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 July 2026
Tenants who choose the building favor those impressive features over its quirks.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026

Definition of quirk

Noun

Nolan said that Odysseus’ idiosyncrasies were challenging to adapt.

— Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
The humor—dry, humane, occasionally absurd—is ever-present … The Vermont setting, spare and bracing, acts as a quiet amplifier of these idiosyncrasies, while Mason remains attuned to the natural world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of idiosyncrasy

Noun

But unlike the best of Ferrell’s earlier roles, Hawkins’s eccentricities feel like surface-level strangeness, connected to nothing surprising or soulful underneath.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Lawyers statewide choose the sole at-large member, making Kansas the only state where attorneys hold a majority of seats on the nominating commission — an eccentricity that Kobach and conservative lawmakers have emphasized.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of eccentricity

Noun

Time has a habit of judging architects more generously than their contemporaries often do.

— Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Even the safest options on this list work best alongside consistent sleep habits, such as a regular schedule, a cool dark room and limited screens before bed.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

Definition of habit

Browse Nearby Words

tiaras

tic

tick

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“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tic

noun

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