habituate

verb

ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce habituate (audio)
ha-, 
-chü-ˌāt
habituated; habituating
Synonyms of habituatenext

transitive verb

1
: to make used to something : accustom
2
: frequent sense 1

intransitive verb

1
: to cause habituation
2
: to undergo habituation
habituate to a stimulus

Synonyms of habituate

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Examples of habituate in a Sentence

the sort of lounge lizard known to habituate bars and nightclubs
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The wildlife team tends to the cubs while wearing bear suits to avoid habituating the cubs to humans. — Isabel Yip, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026 The reason for these laws, which exist everywhere grizzlies are found, is that feeding bears can habituate them to humans. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2026 But last year, one of the state’s 10 resurgent wolf packs became unusually habituated to hunting and eating livestock instead of wild prey. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026 In some cases, DEEP said loud noises are not effective at scaring away bears, especially ones that have already been habituated. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habituate

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habituate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for habituate

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Browse Nearby Words

habitualness
habituate
habituation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Habituate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habituate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

habituate

verb
ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce habituate (audio)
ha-
habituated; habituating
: to make used to something
habituation
-ˌbich-ə-ˈwā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

habituate

verb
ha·​bit·​u·​ate hə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwāt, ha- How to pronounce habituate (audio)
habituated; habituating

transitive verb

: to cause habituation in

intransitive verb

1
: to cause habituation
marijuana may be habituating
2
: to undergo habituation
habituate to a stimulus

More from Merriam-Webster on habituate

Nglish: Translation of habituate for Spanish Speakers

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