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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
  • According to the report, Kelly shared an initial email with Williams in August 2019 from a 17-year-old lifeguard’s parents detailing drug use, misogynistic harassment and hazing rituals among Oak Street Beach lifeguards.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Recognizing that, owners Steve and Alex Cohen have decided to break with unspoken tradition and retire the numbers of players who aren’t in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In keeping with tradition, it will be administered by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Roberts.
    George Petras, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Previous presidents have taken more significant steps to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of self-dealing, including by putting their businesses in blind trusts.
    Lex Harvey, Auzinea Bacon and Matt Egan, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Some degree of predictability and institutional stability is the reason that the dollar is a global reserve currency, that the financial markets work, that domestic and foreign investment flows, people start businesses, plan long-term with savings and homeownership, start families.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 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
  • Our fabulous intuition suggests the man holding the bag, will be CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The pro-life rule was first started in the Reagan administration.
    Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 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 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on custom

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