second nature

noun

Definition of second naturenext
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing speaking and thinking in Japanese simply became second nature to her during the years she spent in Kyoto

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 second nature Using a needle or a toothpick, Edmond had successfully placed the two organs in contact, in a gesture that has since become second nature to vanilla growers around the world. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 Losing, again In the same way that winning becomes a habit for table-toppers, losing becomes second nature for teams struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Even though the playbook and the verbiage is second nature to him, building that connection with Iamaleava is crucial to him earning the starting spot. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 17 Aug. 2026 Supporting the easiest payment method on a phone ought to be second nature to mobile-app developers, but too many continue to make this mistake. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second nature
  1. ritual
  2. habit
  3. way
  4. trick
  5. practice
  6. custom
Noun
  • Brushing off tombstones is a regular ritual in some cultures, including in Mexico where entire families clean and decorate graves, which are covered with orange marigolds for Day of the Dead.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • What saunas may offer women PT and lymphatic drainage expert Sonia Rose told Women’s Health that warmth has long been a female comfort ritual.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • She was arrested and charged with second-degree child endangerment after her daughter reportedly arrived at school with sunburns, sparking a media frenzy over Krentcil's extreme tanning habits and parenting.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • YPulse’s reporting on Gen Z shopping habits digs into how younger buyers can treat finding affordable alternatives as a legit shopping achievement.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • There are few households in Israel that haven’t been affected in some way by the events that have played out since, leaving a sense of profound grief and insecurity that lingers across the Israeli society.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The second-year fifth-round pick started at the MIKE spot and handled green-dot responsibilities on his way to recording six tackles and being active throughout the night.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of way
Noun
  • Today, our constructor has reached into his evidently limitless bag of tricks to pull out a doozy of a Thursday grid.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Act, which has been introduced to the Senate but not yet been enacted into law, seeks to establish a program for the active remediation of orbital debris as well as requiring the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • Food and drink A juice machine at breakfast allows guests to craft a custom beverage from the basket full of fennel, carrots, apples (the biggest local export and extremely juicy—make sure to have one), and various other veggies.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The couple recently revamped their living room and kitchen, adding details like crown moldings, vintage lighting and custom banquette seating, which cost approximately $12,000.
    — Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of custom

Browse Nearby Words

seconding
second nature
second-rate
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Cite this Entry

“Second nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20nature. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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