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custom

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adjective

as in customized
made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer that business tycoon wears only custom suits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun custom differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of custom are habit, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

the custom of wearing black at funerals

When can habit be used instead of custom?

Although the words habit and custom have much in common, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is practice a more appropriate choice than custom?

In some situations, the words practice and custom are roughly equivalent. However, practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

Where would usage be a reasonable alternative to custom?

The synonyms usage and custom are sometimes interchangeable, but usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

western-style dress is now common usage in international business

In what contexts can wont take the place of custom?

The words wont and custom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 custom
Noun
The custom sofa in upholstered Rose Tarlow’s Velours Monchalet II, with pillows in Arjumand’s Ramage Celadon. Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2025 The 8 Elite already has significantly boosted CPU, GPU, and NPU figures, thanks to its custom cores. PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
As an expression of gratitude for the holidays, Hurts and Barkley presented each member of the offensive line with a custom, black golf cart displaying their last name and number on the side. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Around the same time, Amazon revealed that fellow Club name Apple had been using its custom AI chips. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for custom 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custom
Noun
  • Belize is home to hundreds of caverns where Mayan priests once held rituals to petition the gods for rain or a successful harvest.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Some people swear by this calming ritual as a sure-fire way to fall asleep.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Famed Chef Jean Imbert curated a feast that balanced the traditions of French gastronomy with his characteristic flair for modernity.
    Ian Malone, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
  • President Ronald Reagan invited him to the State of the Union days later, which started the tradition of featuring heroes in the House gallery.
    Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This feature will also track the influence campaigns — from business, lobbying shops and more — aimed squarely at congressional Republicans who are in the driver seat this year to implement sweeping tax changes and extensions.
    Aris Folley, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Trump sported for the 2017 inaugural, the former model chose Lippes, who has been building his namesake business relatively quietly.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, several scenes are given over to her wacky habit of posting too much info on Facebook.
    Alissa Simon, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Reflection: The process of critically evaluating your behaviors, perspectives, habits and communication from previous actions to gain insights to adapt for future challenges.
    Tony Gambill, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • His family remembered him as a natural leader who was no stranger to challenging the rules.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
  • With a new format comes new rules and the 3v3 format isn't the only adjustment.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • One union that represents government workers bashed the mandate as returning to the patronage system that oversaw the federal workforce until the end of the 19th century.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Before jurors took their seats last Thursday, Blakey discussed concerns raised by attorneys about patronage, job recommendations and the First Amendment.
    Jim Talamonti | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This young brand impresses with its poetic take on tailored pieces.
    Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Financial institutions can set themselves apart from the competition by delivering a consumer-like experience, leveraging AI, creating tailored onboarding, utilizing rich data and fostering transparency.
    Sal Rehmetullah, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Hurts, who was limited in Wednesday's practice and a full participant Thursday, is expected to be ready for the game.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • This practice lays the foundation for deeper emotional connection and well-being.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near custom

Cite this Entry

“Custom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custom. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

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