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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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

The Cinderella dress that Kaitlyn Argyriou’s mother had sewn for her as a child and which Argyriou’s daughter, Avery, 4, had planned to wear trick-or-treating in Colorado Springs on Halloween.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
The tips and tricks for maintaining hosiery that used to be passed down by family and friends are in danger of being lost to time and ever-changing fashion trends.

— Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Other soccer-like traits at Ryan Field include a very high proportion of the seats being under cover and the striking sight that what Americans across the land have come to know as the Upper Deck experience just does not exist here.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
His ability to square the ball up and not chase out of the strike zone are probably his best traits.

— Jim Bowden, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of trait

Noun

Her mannerisms, comedy, music, references and cultural touchstones were influenced by the Black woman playing her.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

Welcome to The Athletic’s data notebook, a periodic look at the key trends, standout figures and tactical quirks shaping the Premier League season.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The birds — which were Neisen’s idea — are usually confined to the rooftop of the converted 19th-century industrial space, a surprising country quirk in the heart of the city designed by landscaping firm Brooklyn Grange.

— Tanya Fevzi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of quirk

Noun

Nor is Gadot a performer inclined to lend much more than athleticism to a role that could use some warmth and idiosyncrasy to color its rather generic action-hero gist.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
There’s no better way to quickly learn a person’s idiosyncrasies than living with them.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of idiosyncrasy

Noun

Everyone knows the outdated and offensive characterization of a cat lady — a stereotype conjuring images of solitude, eccentricities and probably cartons of ice cream.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Bring an equal eccentricity to your interiors with a Nordic Knots area rug.

— Madeline Fass, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of eccentricity

Noun

Looking for a solution to a nagging health issue or bad habit?

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Differing opinions, interests, schedules, habits, and cleanliness standards can all stack up to turn what was supposed to be a fun group trip into something entirely the opposite.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tic

noun

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