as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit
constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics
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Recent Examples of tics
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
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
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Whether kids are learning tricks, competing with friends, or just marveling at the floating string, ZipString delivers the perfect mix of science, wonder and fun.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
For more tips, tricks and the latest updates, make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter.—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since the video went viral, internet users have praised their adorable bond, as many are obsessed by Maude’s dog-like mannerisms.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Would this new body still be the same person with all their quirks and mannerisms, as well as sharing the same interests or dislikes, or a version of them?—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
3 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.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The lab tech was talking about thinking, feeling creatures with human-like traits.—
Ron Arias,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is one of those scheduling quirks that just happened to work this way.—
Mac Engel
October 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Indianapolis Museum of Art has a penchant for combining classical beauty with modern quirks, and that takes center stage at the Clowes Pavilion.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a professor of science education, one of my goals while preparing future teachers is to introduce them to the characteristics of scientific knowledge and how it is developed.—
Ryan Summers,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Typical eldest daughter characteristics include being responsible, independent, empathic, caring, a perfectionist, stressed and anxious, the Cleveland Clinic notes.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tipping habits and even allowances are also feeling the brunt of rising prices.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
And even as people's viewing habits aren't the same as in 2000, there's still so much interest in these shows online.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Even the film’s eccentricities that do feel out of a Pynchon novel — notably Lockjaw’s desire to join a secret society of white supremacists called the Christmas Adventurers Club — read as plausible in the current political climate.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
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But in Franz, Kafka is pretty resolute in his identity and his eccentricities, notably in his insistence on writing all his now-famous literary works by hand.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Benicio Del Toro made a surprise cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live tonight, joining host Bad Bunny and frequent collaborator Marcello Hernandez in a sketch spoofing the idiosyncrasies of the Spanish language.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
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Some of Preller’s idiosyncrasies have been well-documented; others have flown under the radar.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tics. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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