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 next

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

Examples 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 Despite the upbeat, fighting talk, the talk session rounded off with a succession of audience questions which variously asked how Hong Kong martial arts could be saved, promoted or taught. Hung, returning to his habitual ebullient mode, had no doubt. —

Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024 He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison — not for the murders, but for his habitual car-thieving. —

Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Musk’s habit of making and sharing false claims to underscore his support for Trump — who for most of his political career has also pushed false claims of voting fraud conspiracies — is habitual. —

Kevin Collier, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024 Trump is a habitual liar who has a habit of saying whatever comes to mind. —

Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 29 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for habitual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual

Adjective

The big picture: Student homelessness, which tracks with worsening federal homelessness trends, is nationally linked to higher rates of chronic absenteeism and drop outs.

April Rubin, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
With that, my team and I shifted focus from topics such as how chronic stress influences brains to how positive events – and anticipation for these events – shape neural functions.

Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024