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
This writing tic has traditionally been associated with bad high-school level essays.
—
Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Odder still, Ahn has a too-clever tic of cutting away from big confrontations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of her sparring match with Grey, Elsbeth clumsily using her flimsy weapon as a cane is a hilarious example of one of those tics.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Seeking the company of other emotional exiles — celebrities who populate his international acting company (Tom Hanks, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Hope Davis, etc.) — has become Anderson’s authorial tic.
—Armond White, National Review, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Odder still, Ahn has a too-clever tic of cutting away from big confrontations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
At the end of her sparring match with Grey, Elsbeth clumsily using her flimsy weapon as a cane is a hilarious example of one of those tics.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Seeking the company of other emotional exiles — celebrities who populate his international acting company (Tom Hanks, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Hope Davis, etc.) — has become Anderson’s authorial tic.
—Armond White, National Review, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
-
One trick to capture slugs is to lay a board down next to a row crop and check the underside in the morning to gather the slugs.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Truth is, finding universal tips and tricks for keeping your cortisol levels stable first thing in the morning and when leaving the house is tough.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
5 July 2025
Noun
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What wasn’t reported was Rivera’s aversion to pitches coming near him, a trait that’s fatal to long-term hitting success.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
-
This method allowed scientists to precisely manipulate traits like shape, color, and pattern — something impossible to do with living specimens.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
There are nearly 50 species of pine trees native to North America with diverse characteristics and growing preferences.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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That’s why researchers have spent decades trying to use genetics and behavioral characteristics to divide the spectrum into meaningful subtypes.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
Noun
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His appearance and mannerisms remain constant over the decades, while historical events—the Prague Spring, the Vietnam War—sweep on.—
Rav Grewal-Kök
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
-
Thames was a great choice for Hiccup, capturing the original character’s mannerisms and voice perfectly, though perhaps – as my daughter noted – with a little less squeakiness.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Each area high school is known for its particular geography, academic or sports reputation, quirks and traditions.—
Bebe Hodges,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
In a quirk of history, Lacoste is also the site of the Chateau of the Marquis de Sade.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Victor then flips back to an earlier chapter, before their graduation, to a time when Agnes seems less calcified in her idiosyncrasies.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
-
Wimbledon is widely considered one of the most prestigious of all tennis Grand Slams, known for its storied grounds, rich traditions, and unique idiosyncrasies.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Cena, despite his attempts at wackadoo eccentricity, seldom has enough energy to create meaningful contrast with Elba’s straight man (in fact, Elba is often the funnier and sharper of the two), and most dialogue scenes end up flat and repetitive.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
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That’s a straightforward but wonderfully satisfying template, and the kind of thing that’s become a rarity in a genre where the main character’s eccentricities might as well be a shorthand that distinguishes one show from another.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Give my alter ego a name, describe their key characteristics, daily habits, and decision-making style.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Other Republicans talk to Trump too, including Hawley — who then made a habit of informing Washington that Trump wants a softer touch on Medicaid.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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