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 Since Jason Showers is a habitual offender with at least four prior felony convictions, the judge will be able to impose a life sentence if he is convicted of any one of the four top charges, prosecutors said. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for habitual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual

Adjective

The maps revealed that a chronic problem had turned critical.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Bidets may also ease discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, and help people with chronic diarrhea or conditions that require frequent wiping.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

In the movie, a local brothel — the Devil’s Playhouse — becomes the target of a TV preacher, forcing the town’s sheriff, who happens to be a frequent customer, to save it.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026
This is becoming more urgent, Azam says, as these disasters become more frequent, but experts lack data to better identify the areas that are most at risk of future disasters like this.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of frequent

Adjective

The first-place Sox (72-65) head into the final month of the regular season with a three-game lead over the second-place Cleveland Guardians (69-68), who were off on Monday.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Aesha sends Kayley to deal with it, but a regular sink plunger can’t do the job — Nathan has to suction the stuff out with the wet vacuum.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of regular

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

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“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of habitual

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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Invariant 'Be'

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