Synonyms of inveterate

inveterate

adjective

in-ˈve-t(ə-)rət 

1

as in deep

firmly established over time

he has an inveterate tendency to tell some very tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deep
• lifelong
• hard-core
• entrenched
• rooted
• confirmed
• persistent
• deep-seated
• chronic
• inherent
• deep-rooted
• settled
• intrenched
• persisting
• habitual
• intrinsic
• bred-in-the-bone
• unalterable
• unchangeable
• fixed
• natural
• immutable
• innate
• inbred
• typical
• hard-and-fast
• embedded
• enduring
• usual
• inborn
• accustomed
• ingrained
• frozen
• abiding
• firm
• customary
• implanted
• regular
• integral
• set
• inculcated
• imbedded
• irradicable
• instilled
• hard
• engrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• transient
• temporary
• momentary
• brief
• short-term
• provisional
• interim
• ephemeral
• fleeting
• short-lived
• impermanent

2

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

• chronic
• persistent
• habitual
• serial
• stubborn
• regular
• confirmed
• addicted
• dyed-in-the-wool
• steady
• incorrigible
• natural
• prone
• unregenerate
• born
• bred-in-the-bone
• repeat
• unreconstructed
• accustomed
• inherent
• unfailing
• obstinate
• unchanging
• innate
• intrinsic
• entrenched
• used
• inbred
• wonted
• habituated
• deep-seated
• apt
• inclined
• deep-rooted
• mulish
• intrenched
• set

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• occasional
• unused
• intermittent
• unaccustomed

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

Examples of inveterate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

As Swifties will know, Taylor Swift is an inveterate mom-meeter. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 June 2024

The authors contend that today’s autocrats have an inveterate suspicion of their own private sectors and fear that greater market reforms would shift power to assertive business elites. —John Waterbury, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020

Years later, Denise learns that her dream man in Argentina is an inveterate womanizer. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

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