CUSTOMARY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'customary' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of customary are accustomed , habitual , usual , and wonted . While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," 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: How does the word 'accustomed' relate to other synonyms for 'customary'?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom. // accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'habitual' instead of 'customary'?

In some situations, the words habitual and customary are roughly equivalent. However, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition. // a habitual morning routine

Q: When might 'usual' be a better fit than 'customary'?

While the synonyms usual and customary are close in meaning, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness. // my usual order for lunch

Q: When is 'wonted' a more appropriate choice than 'customary'?

The meanings of wonted and customary largely overlap; however, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated. // his wonted determination

customary

adjective

ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē

Definition of customary next

as in usual

accepted, used, or practiced by most people the customary response to the greeting "How are you?" is "Fine, thanks"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traditional

based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation the customary toasting of the bride and groom at their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word customary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of customary are accustomed, habitual, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," 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

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for customary?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When is it sensible to use habitual instead of customary?

In some situations, the words habitual and customary are roughly equivalent. However, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When might usual be a better fit than customary?

While the synonyms usual and customary are close in meaning, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than customary?

The meanings of wonted and customary largely overlap; however, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

Examples 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 customary The 160-page, pocket-size book — which in customary Michelin style includes a detachable city map — signals the growing stature of Detroit in the tourism industry. —

Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024 In response to the filing, Carter, through his attorney Alex Spiro (who represented Alec Baldwin in the Rust case, resulting in it being dismissed with prejudice), has demanded the accuser reveal her identity, as is customary for a civil case brought in Federal court. —

Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024 The chronograph second hand, as is customary, is centrally mounted and on this watch bears a varnished orange airplane shape at its tip. —

Chris Hall, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024 This is customary behavior for the Laysan albatross species, called mōlī in Hawaiian. —

Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for customary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for customary

Adjective

The 21 percent shooting was well off their usual 38 percent from the line.

Martin Henderson, Orange County Register, 18 Dec. 2024
In these events, snowy owls can be seen much farther south than usual, throughout the lower 48 states.

Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024