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 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 Subsequent research actually backed him up, finding that habitual calculator use before students had internalized basic arithmetic weakened their mental fluency and fact retrieval. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habitual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual

Adjective

Sickle cell is a genetic blood disorder that can cause chronic pain and be potentially fatal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Many cannabis companies paid tax on gross profit rather than net profit, creating chronic cash-flow pressure.

— Carolyn Schenck, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

The scale of the decline triggered a circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading on the exchange — a frequent occurrence this year in a stock market dominated by just two stocks.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
The survey also found links between binge eating and frequent social media use (checking platforms at least hourly), poor mental health, and suicidality.

— Sarah Todd, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frequent

Adjective

Based on recent comments from Spoelstra, Richards is likely sticking around into the regular season.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The 2017 draft pick discovered blood clots in his lung this summer and missed training camp and the first five weeks of the regular season because of it.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of regular

Adjective

Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Screeching was heard by residents Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September.

— Joseph B. Frederick, Fortune, 15 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

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“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 21 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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