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 There are linguistic tics and habits that give away formerly Amish people immediately. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026 Services are available that humanize AI tics. — Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026 Nadal, with a wink, recites the various physical tics involved in his serving routine. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 May 2026 The Trumpian superlative tic took his boasts well beyond the general. — Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic

Noun

Kluivert notched a hat-trick in the 10-1 thrashing of Italy’s Genoa, with Scott, Unal (two goals each) and David Brooks scoring too.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The trick is to hold the can 8 to 10 inches away, and spray in short bursts.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

But this was his first opportunity to play against a live pass rush, which tested one of the traits that drew Los Angeles to Simpson.

— Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
In theory, Daniels could sue LSU for misappropriation of his right of publicity, which forbids the unauthorized commercial use of a college athlete’s name, image, likeness, signature, voice, nickname and other identifying traits.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of trait

Noun

The devices capture images of vehicle tags and characteristics, feeding searchable data to police departments.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Flock cameras photographed passing vehicles and used software to record information including license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, dates, times and locations in searchable databases.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Says strange things and has funny little mannerisms, but within lies a devastatingly sharp mind which can produce something special that people will be talking about for years.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
This portrait of wannabe bohemians and intellectuals who adopt the fashions, mannerisms, and artistic practices of an earlier time has its own essential timelessness.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of mannerism

Noun

In terms of clubs listening to supporters, Lincoln City, newly promoted to the Championship, deserve a pat on the back for restoring a unique quirk to a matchday at what fans know as Sincil Bank.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
However, the decline is largely an artifact of a quirk in how mortgage loans were recorded during the quarter, researchers noted.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of quirk

Noun

If LRMs can supercharge mathematics research the way AlphaFold did for computational biology, this line of thinking goes, why not embrace them, idiosyncrasies and all, and just verify the results?

— John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 31 July 2026
Nolan said that Odysseus’ idiosyncrasies were challenging to adapt.

— Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Definition of idiosyncrasy

Noun

How much funnier Shakespeare’s motley crew can be when we’re allowed to discover the variety of eccentricity and ludicrousness on display for ourselves.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Your unique eccentricity is your greatest asset — don’t hide it!

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Definition of eccentricity

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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tic

noun

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