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

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 The first four episodes retain most of the novel’s key incidents and tics. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Show your unique speaking style For decades, communication coaches counseled clients to ruthlessly eliminate verbal tics and awkward pauses. — Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 Mocking each other’s writing tics became part of the fun, just as challenging each other to go darker and twistier was part of the adventure. — Scott Westerfeld, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 After surgery, that device is programmed to send mild electrical impulses that block abnormal nerve signals and dramatically reduce tics. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic

Noun

How modular workstation sinks work A workstation sink looks like a standard basin at first glance, but the walls hide the trick.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
With each trick and tactic, companies are reinventing the ripoff right under our noses.

— Lindsay Owens, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

The result suggests that the crystal framework has the structural characteristics needed for fast lithium-ion transport.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Knowing someone's baseline characteristics is not the same as knowing what that person thinks about this decision today.

— Leslie John, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Growing older, Christian inherited his father’s mannerisms and infectious energy and often wears a glittering Bad Boy chain around his neck, firmly tying himself to his father’s shadow.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Others noticed how similar Ella’s voice and mannerisms are to Bening’s.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

The developer said the system even encountered locations where collision information appeared to be incomplete and was able to exploit those map quirks.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Of course, there’ll be homologation and regulatory hurdles, distribution and service quirks, parts availability and pricing details that will need some ironing out before all of that.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of quirk

Noun

With exceptional performances from the entire cast and homages to musical legends like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, Bioh and White present a reflection of the Black female experience in all of its dazzling idiosyncrasies, triumphs and pains.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Two new books argue that this is the wrong debate to be having, since swing voters, with all their idiosyncrasies, don’t see politics through a lens of moderates versus progressives.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of idiosyncrasy

Noun

But the scenes of Roy using household objects to relay the action of the game (accompanied by twinkling music) push Keeley beyond the limits of eccentricity.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
This vast misshapen island was traditionally noted for ghosts, folktales, eccentricity, fish, and friendliness.

— Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of eccentricity

Browse Nearby Words

tiaras

tic

tick

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tic

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on tic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes