as in persistent
being such by habit and not likely to change
a chronic smoker who has quit—many, many times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 chronic
While Ball stayed healthy enough to play 72 games this past season, he's dealt with chronic ankle injuries since entering the NBA.
—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump.
—
Alex Veiga,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Harvard Health reports the associations may stretch well beyond the gut, from autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies, asthma, acne, obesity and even mental illness.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Through that experience, Vergara learned that high blood pressure can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump.
—
Alex Veiga,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Harvard Health reports the associations may stretch well beyond the gut, from autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies, asthma, acne, obesity and even mental illness.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Through that experience, Vergara learned that high blood pressure can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
-
The launch includes five solution categories—Restaurant Assistant, Packer, Picker, Folder, and Host—targeting persistent labor shortages in sectors such as industrial operations, logistics, healthcare, food services, lodging, and experiential venues.
-
Why is this padding so persistent?
Adjective
-
Under these, General Atomics and Anduril are tasked by the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program to develop their prototype YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A aircraft into serial production as the FQ-42A and FQ-44.
-
Three men, including Jackman, have all been tied to serial rapes in the Westport area in the 1980s.
Adjective
-
In invalidating the comparisons, Gorsuch focused on the purpose of the laws aimed at the habitual drunkards of the 18th century.
-
Five additional felony charges — including a lead stalking charge and a habitual offender sentencing enhancement — were dismissed.
Adjective
-
The inveterate white supremacist Woodrow Wilson mouthed anti-colonial rhetoric before reverting to form at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.
-
The far-outside post doesn’t compromise this inveterate deep closer, but a lack of pace up front definitely will.
Adjective
-
The 25-year-old registered a career-high 42 points in 82 regular-season games for Buffalo during the 2025-26 season, and tied career highs with 11 goals and 31 assists last season.
-
Golden State entered the draft lottery after going 37-45 during the regular season and bowing out in the play-in tournament.
Adjective
-
Yet stocks fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, and traders are pricing in the chance of a rate hike as soon as September.
-
The article posits that true calm stems not from certainty, but from clear, consistent signals, akin to a jazz band's steady bass line.
Adjective
-
Dealing with stubborn dark spots?
-
But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star fades away, a stubborn little bird named Pikkuli sets off on a winter adventure with friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light.
Adjective
-
Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the fifth installment follows Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang of anthropomorphic toys as their owner Bonnie becomes addicted to her new favorite gadget, a kiddie smart tablet known as Lilypad.
-
The state does not sufficiently fund services for people who become addicted to gambling via the sports-betting apps on their phones, mental health experts say, and there are not enough therapists trained to treat gambling addiction.
Cite this Entry
“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
