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

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 habitual Texas hotel served papers over 'habitual criminal activity,' Venezuelan gang presence The Gateway Hotel in El Paso, Texas was served with a restraining order after operating illegally for six years and harboring members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Jasmine Baehr, Fox News, 11 Sep. 2024 Frankenweenie is Burton’s geeky salute to old Frankenstein flicks, but the wit of the homage can’t always overcome the director’s habitual inability to tell stories without a surfeit of strained gags and indifferent plotting. Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2024 Velazquez-Diaz is considered a habitual offender with more than four felony convictions. Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024 And the same for Fox with Trump, who's the habitual daily Fox viewer, who's not ready to vote for Donald Trump? Mark Joyella, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for habitual 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual
Adjective
  • Turmeric, which comes from the root of Curcuma longa and is integral in South Asian cooking, packs all kinds of potential benefits, from chronic pain relief to muscle recovery.
    Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024
  • These scenarios illustrate the growing reliance on AI systems that look helpful on the surface — yet lead to chronic consumer disempowerment and latent dissatisfaction.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Airlines may also revoke passengers’ frequent flyer points, so Skiplagged also advises people not to associate their frequent flyer account with their booking.
    MaryLou Costa, contributor, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Data Governance And Compliance Design With global regulatory pressures mounting and data breaches becoming more frequent, governance and compliance should be woven into your data strategy from the ground up.
    Annie Phan, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The two teams split in the regular season last year, but Conard beat Glastonbury in the CCC quarterfinals.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Dec. 2024
  • However, the Jets cannot officially interview a candidate who works for a league club until the conclusion of the regular season.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Like the son who succeeded him, Hafez al-Assad tolerated little dissent with oppression widespread and periodic bouts of extreme state violence.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
  • But periodic soil and water sampling by land managers could tip them off if the snakes show up.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Being able to carry out this type of attack—dropping one bomb after the other in waves of precise and repeated airstrikes—is an important skill that has been honed by Israel to penetrate bunkers and will work just as well in Iran.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Trump and Harris Repeatedly Campaigned in Georgia Both candidates have made repeated appearances in the state, returning just days before Election Day.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near habitual

Cite this Entry

“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on habitual

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