congenital

adjective

con·gen·i·tal | \ kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl

, kän-\

Definition of congenital

1a : existing at or dating from birth congenital deafness

b : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent congenital fear of snakes

c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity congenital syphilis

2 : being such by nature a congenital liar

Other Words from congenital Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about congenital

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Synonyms & Antonyms for congenital

Synonyms

born, natural

Antonyms

nonnatural

Choose the Right Synonym for congenital

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. an innate sense of fair play inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. her inborn love of nature inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. inbred political loyalties congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. a congenital heart murmur eye color is hereditary

Examples of congenital in a Sentence

The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital. a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it

Recent Examples on the Web

This included examining 750 mothers' and 891 fathers' exposure to 16 workplace chemicals or other substances linked to neurological and/or congenital abnormalities from three months before pregnancy through to the birth of the child. — chicagotribune.com, "Women’s exposure to solvents at work tied to autism in children," 2 July 2019 In addition, Robbins was born with congenital glaucoma, losing her right eye. — Ysabelle Kempe, BostonGlobe.com, "Map Academy in Plymouth provides another road to graduation," 25 June 2019 Thirty-two years ago my newborn daughter was discharged from Boston Children’s Hospital after an operation to repair a congenital birth defect and a lengthy period of recovery. — John Crowley, Harper's magazine, "Works of Mercy," 10 Apr. 2019 Jimmy Kimmel's son Billy had to undergo two heart surgeries after he was born with a congenital heart condition To infinity and beyond! — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "So Sweet! Jimmy Kimmel Brings His Family, Including Son Billy, 2, to Toy Story 4 Premiere," 12 June 2019 Doctors diagnosed cor triatriatum dexter (CTD), a congenital anomaly in which a membrane divides the right atrium. — Anndee Hochman, Philly.com, "The Parent Trip: Gisell and Tim Cornish of Gloucester City," 19 Jan. 2018 Andrew Berghoff, who was 17, had battled health challenges his whole life after he was born with a rare birth defect: a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. — Dan Shalin, chicagotribune.com, "Notre Dame grants posthumous diploma to beloved student Andrew Berghoff," 9 June 2019 At her first veterinary exam at three days old, she was diagnosed with a congenital eye defect called a coloboma. — Robin Goist, cleveland.com, "Snow leopard cub born at Akron Zoo," 5 June 2019 Spiking congenital syphilis rates indicate an overall failure to deliver good prenatal care, Dr. Leone says. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "We Need to Talk About Syphilis," 28 May 2019

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