chronic

adjective

chron·ic | \ˈkrä-nik

Definition of chronic

1a : continuing or occurring again and again for a long time chronic indigestion chronic experiments

b : suffering from a chronic disease the special needs of chronic patients

2a : always present or encountered especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling chronic petty warfare chronic meddling in one another's domestic affairs — Amatzia Baram

b : being such habitually a chronic grumbler

Other Words from chronic Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about chronic

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Other Words from chronic

chronic noun

chronically \ -ni-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

chronicity \ krä-ˈni-sə-tē ,

krō- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for chronic

inveterate, confirmed, chronic 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 confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform. a confirmed bachelor chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome. a chronic complainer

Examples of chronic in a Sentence

He suffers from chronic arthritis. a chronic need for attention Inflation has become a chronic condition in the economy. Don't bother seeing that film—it's chronic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mental health impacts every aspect of our lives, and everyone can benefit from counseling — not just those who suffer from severe, chronic mental illness. — Caitlin Flynn, The Seattle Times, "A Seattle program is making mental-health counseling more affordable," 16 Oct. 2018 The virus can exacerbate chronic illnesses, too, masking the viral trigger. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Last year’s flu was brutal—killing 80,000—but vaccine did better than expected," 27 Sep. 2018 In addition to its general chillness, CBD has been used to supplement medication in treatment for chronic illness. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "How Hard Should We Lean into This Whole CBD Coffee Trend?," 16 Aug. 2018 The book shows that living with chronic illness is a physical, psychological and spiritual battle. — Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Daughters of American Revolution install officers," 4 July 2018 After a resounding defeat, James IV of Majorca died of his chronic illness in Aragon. — Anne Thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018 Defense lawyers argued that Wilson had several chronic illnesses and might not survive a prison sentence. — Rod Mcguirk, chicagotribune.com, "Australian bishop sentenced to year's detention for cover-up," 2 July 2018 Those children are also familiar with chronic illnesses and deaths of relatives. — Vincent Kituku, idahostatesman, "Investing in the lives of poor children changes the present and the future," 28 June 2018 Alone, each of these things can raise your risk of chronic illness; together, well, let’s just call this a bad mix. — Samantha Cassetty, NBC News, "How to make your fast food habit healthier," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chronic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for chronic

chronic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of chronic

medical : continuing or occurring again and again for a long time

: happening or existing frequently or most of the time

: always or often doing something specified

See the full definition for chronic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chronic

adjective

chron·ic | \ˈkrä-nik

Kids Definition of chronic

1 : continuing for a long time or returning often a chronic disease

2 : happening or done frequently or by habit a chronic complainer chronic tardiness

chronic

adjective

chron·ic | \ˈkrän-ik

variants: also chronical \ -i-kəl

Medical Definition of chronic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence over a long time, and often by slowly progressing seriousness : not acute chronic indigestion her hallucinations became chronic

b : suffering from a disease or ailment of long duration or frequent recurrence a chronic arthritic chronic sufferers from asthma

2a : having a slow progressive course of indefinite duration —used especially of degenerative invasive diseases, some infections, psychoses, and inflammations chronic heart diseasechronic arthritischronic tuberculosis — compare acute sense 2b(1)

b : infected with a disease-causing agent (as a virus) and remaining infectious over a long period of time but not necessarily expressing symptoms chronic carriers may remain healthy but still transmit the virus causing hepatitis B