HABITUAL Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'habitual' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of habitual are accustomed , customary , usual , and wonted . While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition. // a habitual morning routine

Q: How does the word 'accustomed' relate to other synonyms for 'habitual'?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom. // accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

Q: When can 'customary' be used instead of 'habitual'?

The meanings of customary and habitual largely overlap; however, customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community. // the customary waiting period before the application is approved

Q: When would 'usual' be a good substitute for 'habitual'?

In some situations, the words usual and habitual are roughly equivalent. However, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness. // my usual order for lunch

Q: In what contexts can 'wonted' take the place of 'habitual'?

Although the words wonted and habitual have much in common, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated. // his wonted determination

habitual

adjective

hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl

Definition of habitual

as in chronic

being such by habit and not likely to change she admits she's a habitual procrastinator, but she still manages to meet all her deadlines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in frequent

appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time her supervisor warned her that she could be fired for habitual tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word habitual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of habitual are accustomed, customary, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for habitual?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When can customary be used instead of habitual?

The meanings of customary and habitual largely overlap; however, customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

When would usual be a good substitute for habitual?

In some situations, the words usual and habitual are roughly equivalent. However, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

In what contexts can wonted take the place of habitual?

Although the words wonted and habitual have much in common, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

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 habitual This utilizes a different area of the brain, one that supports habitual learning. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026 Another kind of diplomacy Not a habitual critic of China, Hu describes himself as deeply patriotic and believes Chinese leadership remains committed to reform and opening. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026 In exchange for the plea, prosecutors pledged to not add a habitual offender enhancement, which could have added another 5-to-20 years to his sentence. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Duchamp’s habitual skepticism had the salutary effect of returning us to first principles. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for habitual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual

Adjective

Taking glutathione through a nebulizer may constrict the airways of people who have asthma or chronic lung conditions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
China is the world’s biggest consumer of human albumin, the most abundant protein in plasma, which is widely used in care for critical trauma such as burns, and restoring blood protein levels from chronic conditions, like liver diseases.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

The bad news is that even with the frequent showers and thunderstorms that parts of the state have picked up over the last week and a half, the mountains of our state have not seen enough to make a dramatic change.

— Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Someone with gestational hypertension will need more frequent monitoring, which may include home blood pressure measurements, blood and urine tests, and additional monitoring of fetal growth and well-being.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of frequent

Adjective

But amid a growing water crisis in the West, and periodic droughts in other parts of the country, constant water access is not a given.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
And periodic ceasefires during the war sent global oil prices lower – only to rise again whenever those agreements have lapsed or run out.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of periodic

Adjective

Authenticity is built through small, repeated alignments, not dramatic declarations.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
To address the challenge, Ursa Major aims to normalize repeated use, which could significantly reduce per-flight costs and increase flight rates.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026

Definition of repeated

Browse Nearby Words

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habitual

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“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of habitual

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Synonyms of habitual

adjective

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Example Sentences

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Invariant 'Be'

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