Definition of accustomednext

accustomed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of accustom

Synonym Chooser

How is the word accustomed distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of accustomed are customary, habitual, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When would customary be a good substitute for accustomed?

While the synonyms customary and accustomed are close in meaning, 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

In what contexts can habitual take the place of accustomed?

The words habitual and accustomed can be used in similar contexts, but habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When could usual be used to replace accustomed?

The words usual and accustomed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than accustomed?

The synonyms wonted and accustomed are sometimes interchangeable, 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 accustomed
Adjective
Americans are accustomed to showing wide deference to senior military leaders, treating them as dutiful public servants rather than possible enablers of presidential lawlessness. Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Ream’s grown accustomed to such indignities, especially from Richards, the Crystal Palace standout who squared off with Ream in the English Premier League when Ream played for Fulham. Sean Gregory, Time, 1 July 2026
Verb
These companies have been accustomed to selling products that emerged from lab work 10 or 20 years before and are now trying to speed up the commercialization timelines to suit an era of more advanced robotics and AI. Lucas Laursen, IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2026 Though accustomed to the spotlight, McKenna now heads to a metropolis that is nearly 100 times larger than Whitehorse’s population of about 39,000. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for accustomed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accustomed
Adjective
  • Eligible buyers will receive $3,500 off for new EVs and $1,750 off for used ones.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Budget The average new-vehicle transaction price is still over $49,000, and while there are many less expensive models on sale, the used market is a much better starting point for many shoppers.
    Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • The issue has caught the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where a flurry of proposals have been introduced since the start of the year.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • In January, CyCognito introduced discovery of externally reachable MCP servers, adding them to external attack-surface inventories.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Recognizing her extraordinary intellect, the Wheatley family educated her, and by age 20 her poetry had earned publication in London.
    Robin Follman, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • That badge allowed former surfer Conan Hayes, who was acquainted with election-denier and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, to enter the secure room where the machines were stored and take images of the voting machines and associated data.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Other notable suspects include Mark Hansen, a nightclub owner acquainted with Short, and Leslie Dillon, a former mortician’s assistant who knew details about the crime that had not been released to the public.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Accustomed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accustomed. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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