HABIT-FORMING Synonyms: 6 Similar and Opposite Words

habit-forming

adjective

ˈha-bət-ˌfȯr-miŋ

Definition of habit-forming

as in addictive

causing or relating to a physiological need for certain drugs warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 habit-forming The argument is that these products were built with dangerously habit-forming features—including the endless-scroll feed, algorithmic recommendations, and push notifications—that have led to an array of serious health problems. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025 The protective effect was seen across a wide variety of addictive and habit-forming substances, including cocaine, opioids, alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, adding further evidence to a phenomenon previously flagged in smaller studies. — Nancy Lapid, USA Today, 5 Mar. 2026 According to the announcement, spotted by The Verge, the chatbot will only prescribe medications that are considered lower risk, for example SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft) for depression rather than habit-forming drugs like benzodiazepines or some ADHD drugs like Adderall. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habit-forming

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit-forming

Adjective

This addictive snack mix is sure to please between rounds of playing in the water, sun, and sand.

— Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Bovary is in some sense a morality tale, but what lifts it above didacticism, along with its bone-deep interiority, is that its romantic plotlines are as addictive as the genre works that have ruined poor Emma Bovary.

— Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Definition of addictive

Adjective

Crunchy and creamy, tangy and briny, this dill pickle dip is an addicting concoction that will be welcome at any gathering.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
From Gracie Abrams and Oprah to our cool Gen-Z editors, everyone is on board the Cyklar train for its addicting, affordable perfumes.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 June 2026

Definition of addicting

Browse Nearby Words

habited

habit-forming

habiting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Habit-forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit-forming. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of habit-forming

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on habit-forming

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tacit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes