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
In the mid-2010s, Young Thug borrowed from Future’s melodic blueprint, only for Future to co-opt Thug’s avant-garde vocal tics to get even weirder in his own right.
—
Serge Selenou, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for tic
Serge Selenou, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Davidson has coprolalia, where one’s involuntary tics are offensive and inappropriate.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for tic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tic
Noun
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Supernova the Strongwoman will dazzle the crowd with risky tricks and demolition.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
CEOs who have climbed to the top of their industries have an eagle eye for talent who drive success—and many have developed their own tricks to find the right hires.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In truth, a high-quality digital workup synthesizes how traits affect every part of your life.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Early analyses have begun to link genes to traits such as drought tolerance and temperature adaptation, but researchers say more rigorous work is needed to confirm those links before they can be used to guide restoration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The unusual characteristics of dark matter have prompted scientists to search beyond the standard model of particle physics for particles that could comprise it.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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The players are policing themselves in the locker room, a critical characteristic for building winning teams.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Fernandes has always been expressive on the field and at times appears frustrated, waving his arms around, and he has been criticised for these mannerisms by former United players who now work as pundits.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But make no mistake, Bamford carries the series, tapping into her vast assortment of voices and quirks to disguise her character’s insecurity about existing in her own skin.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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By a quirk of scheduling, Dutcher’s Aztecs faced the Wolverines and Wildcats less than a month apart during the fall.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Most of the videos are gentle teasing about the idiosyncrasies of working at a bar or retreads of other viral videos.—
Lauren Chapman,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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An analysis of the previous plans by the New York Times pointed out some idiosyncrasies in the design, among them, that its grand staircase didn't lead to the ballroom and there was no door on the side facing the staircase.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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So, there are no barriers for us in responding to each other’s musical eccentricities.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Pickles frequently appear in comedic settings, from cartoon characters struggling with oversized jars to absurd internet memes celebrating the eccentricity of pickle enthusiasts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Your optimistic spirit stays strong when habits match your values, so pick savings goals that fit your real life.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
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Her testimony about her habits, her behavior, and her anxieties was relatable to many people.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tic. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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