practice 1 of 2

variants also practise

practice

2 of 2

verb

variants also practise
as in to exercise
to do over and over so as to become skilled in order to play the guitar well, you need to practice fingering every single day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun practice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of practice are custom, habit, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When is it sensible to use custom instead of practice?

The words custom and practice can be used in similar contexts, but 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 practice?

In some situations, the words habit and practice are roughly equivalent. However, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When could usage be used to replace practice?

Although the words usage and practice have much in common, 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

When is wont a more appropriate choice than practice?

While the synonyms wont and practice are close in meaning, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 practice
Noun
The Chargers coach’s daily ritual of inviting one player or coach at random to address the team after practice was first met with confusion and stress. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Meléndez graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and two master’s from Columbia University Teachers College in organizational leadership and bilingual education, before getting her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in Latino parenting practices. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
Tanzer has lived and practiced medicine in Ohio, Kansas and Colorado, officials said. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024 Treatment is seldom needed, however, practicing good sanitation is recommended to reduce spores in the landscape. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for practice 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practice
Noun
  • The plan was to film the scene in early September 2022, but that quickly changed, when on the fourth day of rehearsals, the news arrived that Queen Elizabeth had died.
    Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
  • In February last year, a Dark Eagle system was deployed over 3,100 miles from Washington state to Florida for a full rehearsal of expeditionary hypersonic launch capabilities.
    Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Briefings had been led not by the commissioner, but by lower-level executives, many of whom had made a habit of expressing hostility toward reporters and critics as the department was caught up in the swirl of corruption investigations that has engulfed the Adams administration.
    Maria Cramer, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2024
  • However, experts agreed starting a new medication could be a good time to re-evaluate your drinking habits, especially since scaling back will likely be beneficial for your health.
    Maggie O'Neill, Health, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Hufanga was on the field two hours before kickoff, resuming his usual pregame routine and doing so without a cast protecting his wrist.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The TikTok ban and everyday users For everyday users, the ban could have a big impact simply because many of us use the app in our daily routine.
    John Brandon, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Developing Character Is Needed To Shift Systems While exercising your character certainly brings more agency to cross thresholds and operate in systems not designed for you, the challenge remains to work in the system while working on it.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Stress and environmental factors—like a lack of nearby access to public places to exercise—also contribute.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Meta Fails Attempt to Dodge a Worker Exploitation Lawsuit in Kenya If the lawsuits against Meta proceed to trial and the courts decide in the plaintiffs' favor, Ruto could face a political headache.
    Billy Perrigo, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
  • His trial, which began in 2020, involves three separate criminal charges.
    The Week UK, theweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Here's a step-by-step overview of what to expect: Initial Consultation: This is done either online or in person and assesses your hair loss pattern, scalp condition, and treatment goals.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • These work by applying machine learning algorithms that can detect patterns or visual indicators that would be missed by the naked eye but show up clearly in a digital analysis of the source data.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • After 12 weeks of yoga training, questionnaires from the participants showed decreases in tension anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue, confusion, and somatization.
    Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 9 Dec. 2024
  • In return, the Rays will use the Yankees’ home clubhouse and training facilities, including the team’s new multistory baseball operations building set to open before the start of spring training.
    Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Members of their family joined throughout for songs, readings, and a special unity ritual.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The Fairmont Spa combines traditional hammam rituals with modern treatments, while the private beach stretch offers water sports and beachfront relaxation.
    Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near practice

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on practice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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