as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
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Recent Examples of tic
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
In attendance at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish activist well known across the United Kingdom for his efforts to destigmatize Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that can manifest in involuntary verbal tics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 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
The social world can be precarious for people with Tourette syndrome who experience taboo tics like coprolalia.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tic
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
In attendance at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish activist well known across the United Kingdom for his efforts to destigmatize Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that can manifest in involuntary verbal tics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 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
The social world can be precarious for people with Tourette syndrome who experience taboo tics like coprolalia.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
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This under-$40 Amazon pick totally does the trick, and even comes with a little matching pouch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The previous reader confirmed that the engine can be remote started with this trick using the key-fob.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The competing hypotheses, which seek to identify common traits between Little Foot and any of these species, highlight why the fossil continues to be such a rich resource of information that could contain clues to human evolution.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Gardeners seeking to increase the biodiversity of lawns might consider allowing weeds with certain traits to remain.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Satellite analysis by the AP shows that the school, as well as other targets struck the same day, had characteristics visible from the air that could have identified them as civilian sites before they were struck.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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As Americans shifted their attention to both British enemies and Indian enemies, these propaganda campaigns became more strident and generated debates about racial characteristics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Same voice, same mannerisms, next.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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The diversity of their speech patterns and physical mannerisms showed the breadth of the spectrum.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Come for the obvious hooks, stay for the more subtle quirks.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some of Nureyev’s quirks might have rubbed off on Cunningham.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The idiosyncrasies Holtz brought to Notre Dame stuck with players and coaches who entered his orbit.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Everyone’s hearts are closer to the surface than usual, so being tolerant of one another’s idiosyncrasies could be necessary to avoid strife.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Built in 1940 by architect Gerard Colcord, the home underwent a three-year renovation that preserved its bones while editing out the eccentricities left behind by former owners—including Cage’s tarantula room and Martin’s personal performance stage, as well as his outdoor pony corral.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2026
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Less massive objects tend to have rounder orbits, while the most massive, brown-dwarf-like of these objects vary more in their eccentricity.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trick is getting in the habit of drying out your coffee maker every day.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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With a booming voice, a philosopher’s curiosity, and a signature toothy smile, Wiley has made a habit of huffing and puffing at the foundations of sports commentary.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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