habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈha-bət-ˌfȯr-miŋ 
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming drug
Examples of habit-forming in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And some good news for habit-forming rookies: When solidifying a new behavior, missing a day or two doesn’t derail progress, according to a study by Wood.
—
Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 12 July 2023
The compound has been reported to provide a milder high compared to Delta 9 THC but still possesses mind-altering properties that can be habit-forming over time.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2023
Phenobarbital, which is often used to treat epilepsy and seizures, and benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, can be habit-forming.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Naloxone, which replaces opioids binding to receptors in the brain, is not habit-forming and is safe to use on people who are not overdosing.
—David Ovalle, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Apr. 2023
The park warns that the sensation is habit-forming, so those who try it should prepare for multiple rides.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2023
Marketing materials say the product is no more habit-forming than sugar or caffeine.
—Brennon Dixson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
More than 50% of the redfish sampled were contaminated with both flecainide, which in humans slows electrical signals in the heart to stabilize heart rhythms, and the habit-forming opioid pain reliever tramadol.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2023
But some narcotics can cause heartburn—in addition to being habit-forming—so discuss your options with a healthcare provider. Antibiotics Antibiotics like tetracyclines (a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics) that are used to treat common bacterial infections can also cause heartburn.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 6 Mar. 2023
See More
Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 12 July 2023
The compound has been reported to provide a milder high compared to Delta 9 THC but still possesses mind-altering properties that can be habit-forming over time.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2023
Phenobarbital, which is often used to treat epilepsy and seizures, and benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, can be habit-forming.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Naloxone, which replaces opioids binding to receptors in the brain, is not habit-forming and is safe to use on people who are not overdosing.
—David Ovalle, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Apr. 2023
The park warns that the sensation is habit-forming, so those who try it should prepare for multiple rides.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2023
Marketing materials say the product is no more habit-forming than sugar or caffeine.
—Brennon Dixson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
More than 50% of the redfish sampled were contaminated with both flecainide, which in humans slows electrical signals in the heart to stabilize heart rhythms, and the habit-forming opioid pain reliever tramadol.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2023
But some narcotics can cause heartburn—in addition to being habit-forming—so discuss your options with a healthcare provider. Antibiotics Antibiotics like tetracyclines (a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics) that are used to treat common bacterial infections can also cause heartburn.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 6 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'habit-forming.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1913, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near habit-forming
Cite this Entry
“Habit-forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habit-forming. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: causing an addiction
heroin is a habit-forming drug
Medical Definition
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming prescription painkiller
More from Merriam-Webster on habit-forming
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share