usual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈyü-zhə-wəl How to pronounce usual (audio)
Definition of usualnext
1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people that's not the usual method, but it works

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events the characters in this novel are drawn with greater depth than is usual for a work of science fiction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered the usual reaction to the sight of the falls is one of absolute awe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

usual

2 of 2

noun

as in ordinary

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word usual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of usual are accustomed, customary, habitual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

How is accustomed related to other words for usual?

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

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

In what contexts can customary take the place of usual?

The words customary and usual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could habitual be used to replace usual?

Although the words habitual and usual have much in common, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than usual?

The words wonted and usual can be used in similar contexts, but 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 usual
Adjective
An emergeny fund provides a cushion if you're hit with a surprise expense or your usual source of income dries up. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The upcoming season will be filming later than usual, Simmons said. — Hilary Lewis For The Hollywood Reporter, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
On the first floor, in the back corner of the hotel, there also was a small cafe, a fashion-week usual for the house. — Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Someone’s pouring your usual, sending you to sleep with a bustling soundtrack, or simply offering a comforting anchor in a sprawling, occasionally overwhelming metropolis. — Maggie Hennessy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for usual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usual
  1. conventional
  2. normal
  3. ubiquitous
  4. ordinary
  5. customary
  6. typical
  7. familiar
  8. rule
Adjective
  • The platform links brand clients with filmmakers around the world to turn advertising messages into standalone films with real narrative ambition, rather than conventional commercials.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The technology can support both conventional and remote sites, like areas where traditional energy infrastructure may be difficult or expensive to build.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of conventional
Adjective
  • Although Edouard is not forecast to become a hurricane, the hurricane center has warned coastal residents to closely monitor the forecast as the storm is in an area of warmer than normal water and low wind shear, which favor strengthening.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That change was introduced to help give club staff working across transfer departments a more normal working pattern.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The Gap's heyday was 20 years ago, when its stores were ubiquitous and everyone wore its T-shirts and jeans.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Kusama’s popularity continued to surge in the 2010s and 2020s, with her ubiquitous pumpkin sculptures as well as with fashion collaborations, including two with Louis Vuitton.
    — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • When crafting client success stories, look for the beautiful ordinary.
    — Richard Lowe, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026
  • Williams’ gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary was inspired by his interactions with his patients.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • The deal is subject to approvals of several Jardine Cycle & Carriage’s partners and other customary conditions.
    — Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The mesmerizing juxtaposition of colors and cultures and sights and sounds from the customary scene was punctuated July 11 by the sixth and final match here, Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • Netflix has worked assiduously to burnish its reputation as a home for advertisers seeking to align themselves with its popular programs and eager to avoid the traditional model of deploying typical 30-second commercials.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, this gets an all-new rear suspension with leaf springs; that setup allows for a greater payload than a typical torsion beam axle.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • What makes this year’s numbers different from the slow, familiar erosion of the past several years is the source of the exemptions.
    — A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The familiar last name and near-blank political slate pulled him in.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiar
Noun
  • The Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC have all passed similar rules against signing the players, along with penalties against teams for doing so.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fisheries as the sticking point Under EU rules, fishing quotas are based on historical fishing patterns, among other things.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

using up
usual
usually
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Cite this Entry

“Usual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usual. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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