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

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 customary During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, President Donald Trump shared some details about the letter that former President Joe Biden left him in the Oval Office, as is customary for outgoing presidents to do for their successors. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 As was customary, pilgrims who returned after visiting St. James’ tomb adopted an emblem. Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2025 Biden met with Trump at the White House soon after the latter’s victory, as is customary — but as Trump had declined to do for him four years previously. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025 Advertisement The document, as is customary for reports prepared by Justice Department special counsels, provides a recap of the investigative findings. Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for customary 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for customary
Adjective
  • The 166-person-capacity diner was already bustling more than usual for a Thursday night thanks to a local school fundraiser, and the waiting area was noticeably filled with film and TV superfans wearing T-shirts and hats inspired by Twin Peaks, Eraserhead and other Lynch hits.
    Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
  • What is clear is that many areas of the central and eastern U.S. are experiencing a colder than usual January, Taylor said.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The star ingredients are the calendula petals, a beloved medicinal herb in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, celebrated for their calming, skin-soothing properties.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Perhaps football reinforces traditional gender norms.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • These people are always looking for new and more efficient ways to do things, so may be seen as troublemakers in conventional organizations.
    Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Those guidelines include providing alt text on images so that people with visual impairments who use automatic readers can understand images, offering audio descriptions for people with hearing disabilities, and making all websites operable by keyboard for users who can’t use a conventional mouse.
    Kevin Collier, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Judges put on the bench by Lamont are more than half of the current roster of 179 active judges.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That is more than twice the current target — and far higher than America’s own military spending, which is near a post-Cold War low.
    Josh Holder, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near customary

Cite this Entry

“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/customary. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on customary

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