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 \ ˈkrä-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

Kale is linked to reducing your risk of chronic disease and vision loss, lowering blood pressure, and improving bone health, FWIW. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "The New Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Are Here — But Should You Care?," 20 Mar. 2019 The region’s other major insurer, Aetna, requires chronic pain patients to obtain a prior authorization every year for opioid doses over a certain level. — Aubrey Whelan, Philly.com, "Independence Blue Cross reports dramatic drop in opioid prescriptions among members," 13 July 2018 None is meant to address the needs of chronic pain patients or those with cancer. — Julie Appleby, chicagotribune.com, "Doling out pain pills post-surgery: An ingrown toenail not the same as a bypass," 27 June 2018 None is meant to address the needs of chronic pain patients or those with cancer. — Julie Appleby, Washington Post, "Doling Out Pain Pills Post-Surgery: An Ingrown Toenail Not The Same As A Bypass," 22 June 2018 Insurers and drug stores began imposing similar limits on opioid use for acute pain, as opposed to cancer and chronic pain patients. — NBC News, "Number of prescriptions for opioid painkillers drops dramatically in U.S.," 20 Apr. 2018 In her candid interview with Vanity Fair, Blair lamented the lack of accessible, comfortable and fashionable clothing for individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Christian Siriano Just Responded to Selma Blair's Accessible Fashion Line Idea," 9 Mar. 2019 Adams proved especially brilliant during difficult times for Hyland, involving chronic illness and a second kidney transplant. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Wells Adams Lost All Chill Over Sarah Hyland at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party," 26 Feb. 2019 Its Headspace Health division is currently seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to become the first prescription meditation app for certain chronic illnesses. — Hilary Potkewitz, WSJ, "Headspace vs. Calm: The Meditation Battle That’s Anything but Zen," 15 Dec. 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

Other Words from chronic

chronically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

chronicity \ krä-ˈnis-ət-ē, krō-

\ noun, plural -ties

chronic

noun

Medical Definition of chronic (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that suffers from a chronic disease