as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tics
Weirdly brassy dye job aside, Clarke is impressively natural as Alex’s easy smiles and superficial charm give way to flop sweat and nervous tics.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
These death-spiral sequences are bluntly shot in and out of focus by cinematographer Doug Emmett to capture a fraying state of mind, if James’ actorly tics and frittering weren’t enough to indicate that.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Martinů was something of a chameleon, despite his telltale tics.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The verbal tics, unless handled, can have a devastating psychological effect.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
His verbal tics, over-the-top gestures, and knack for creating indelible moments are endearing to the public in a way that professional Democrats who devote their work lives to covering and fighting him could never understand.
—Isaac Schorr, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
It’s grown in stature for me, thanks to all of the tiny sonic tics and lyrical details that are revealed upon multiple listens.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
These death-spiral sequences are bluntly shot in and out of focus by cinematographer Doug Emmett to capture a fraying state of mind, if James’ actorly tics and frittering weren’t enough to indicate that.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2025
Martinů was something of a chameleon, despite his telltale tics.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The verbal tics, unless handled, can have a devastating psychological effect.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
His verbal tics, over-the-top gestures, and knack for creating indelible moments are endearing to the public in a way that professional Democrats who devote their work lives to covering and fighting him could never understand.
—Isaac Schorr, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
It’s grown in stature for me, thanks to all of the tiny sonic tics and lyrical details that are revealed upon multiple listens.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tics
Noun
-
Cherki is visibly excited by his spectators, eager to show off his tricks, until a coach comes into frame on the YouTube video and tells them their fun is over.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Cheo was a jokester and would play tricks on her, like pretending to be asleep, to lighten the mood.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The music video takes things a step further with Joel's dramatic facial expressions and mannerisms that were comparable to Mick's swagger.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a cultural thing in Jewish people; our mannerisms and the way our parents and grandparents word sentences.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.—
Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Yes, the actor inhabited some of Burt’s traits and flourishes, and his conservative style of lawyering came through.—
Sarah Weinman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
What are some of the quirks with I Bonds?—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
People joke about their quirks and idiosyncrasies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Published in Aerospace Science and Technology, the study describes that the Accurate prediction of aerodynamic drag characteristics across a wide range of wing-body configurations is crucial in the early design stages of transonic commercial transport aircraft.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In fact, failure is one of the key characteristics of Silicon Valley.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The company's annual survey reveals the most popular side dishes across the nation in 2025 for Thanksgiving dinner, along with standard and changing holiday habits.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Recognizing that pattern can help parents anticipate and take practical steps early, such as helping kids improve hygiene habits and planning for backup child care before illness strikes.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
It was leased for him by his mother, one of the many eccentricities friends and former business associates described about the otherwise phantom-like man who was always on the cusp of a blockbuster that never quite materialized.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Additionally, unlike the innermost 21 moons and moonlets of Saturn, the next three, Titan, Hyperion, and Iapetus, all have larger eccentricities to their orbits, and no one is certain as to why.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One of the most polarizing of the dressing idiosyncrasies is texture.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
People joke about their quirks and idiosyncrasies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tics. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share