INVETERATE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

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

The words chronic and confirmed are common synonyms of inveterate . While all three words mean "firmly established," inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable. // an inveterate smoker

Q: Where would 'chronic' be a reasonable alternative to 'inveterate'?

The words chronic and inveterate can be used in similar contexts, but chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome. // a chronic complainer

Q: In what contexts can 'confirmed' take the place of 'inveterate'?

The meanings of confirmed and inveterate largely overlap; however, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform. // a confirmed bachelor

inveterate

adjective

in-ˈve-t(ə-)rət

Definition of inveterate next

as in deep

firmly established over time he has an inveterate tendency to tell some very tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chronic

being such by habit and not likely to change the man is an inveterate liar who only rarely tells the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inveterate distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words chronic and confirmed are common synonyms of inveterate. While all three words mean "firmly established," inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

Where would chronic be a reasonable alternative to inveterate?

The words chronic and inveterate can be used in similar contexts, but chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

In what contexts can confirmed take the place of inveterate?

The meanings of confirmed and inveterate largely overlap; however, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

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 inveterate The inveterate distributor Film Movement now offers a first-of-its-kind box set that includes the director and screenwriter's opus, Poetry, and three of his early, soul-shaking staples. —

Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2024 Her parents owned a liquor store, though her father was an inveterate gambler, and Leaf would later acknowledge her mother as the source of her own tireless work ethic. —

News Desk, Artforum, 3 July 2024 One of them is an inveterate liar who doesn't care about this country. —

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024 Di Felice, an inveterate team player, also praised the Gaultier atelier teams for being so brilliant to work with. —

Mark Holgate, Vogue, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for inveterate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveterate

Adjective

There are various types of landslides, including a mudflow, in which water rushes down with only mud, and is generally less than 15 feet deep.

— Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
But after a few days spent trekking up SF’s hilly streets, a deep tissue massage at the Healing Arts Center & Spa is the perfect cure for sore muscles.

— Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025