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 One was to note that a habitual marijuana user had made some disastrous driving decisions. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Lowery pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in addition to possession of a firearm by a felon in July, both Class D felonies with habitual offender status. — Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 11 Sep. 2026 Most studies have looked at habitual tea intake and its possible effects on liver health rather than directly testing whether drinking a specific number of cups per day affects liver health. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 9 Sep. 2026 But their plight is not caused by a lack of money but by habitual overspending in response to political pressure from school unions. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habitual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual

Adjective

People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Many monkeys died, while others developed chronic immunodeficiency.

— Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

Over time, the sinkholes became more frequent, and county workers struggled to inspect the entire pipe with their own equipment.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The link between frequent, accidental naps and dementia remained just as strong, suggesting that changes in napping habits can show up years before a formal diagnosis.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of frequent

Adjective

And after a few key results on Saturday, there’s some clarity behind Miami in the conference standings with five weeks left in the regular season.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Market and restaurant regular Heather Anderson and her wife were contributors.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of regular

Adjective

The Finnish firm Posiva will also need to submit periodic safety assessments every decade.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
That restraint, even if disrupted by periodic rounds of fighting with Hamas, endeared Netanyahu to mainstream Israelis, who could pretend that the conflict was a thing of the past and all but forget about the Palestinians.

— Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of periodic

Adjective

This includes such behaviors as repeated propositioning, coercive pressure, unwanted touching and physical violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Wet grass itself is generally not fragile, but repeated walking, playing, or mowing on it causes damage.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeated

Browse Nearby Words

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“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of habitual

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Synonyms of habitual

adjective

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Example Sentences

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Invariant 'Be'

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