habit-forming

adjective

hab·​it-form·​ing ˈha-bət-ˌfȯr-miŋ 

: inducing the formation of an addiction

a habit-forming drug

Synonyms of habit-forming

• addictive
• addicting

Examples of habit-forming in a Sentence

warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming

Recent Examples on the Web

But not all ultraprocessed foods are habit-forming. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

Consumer platforms are designed to be intuitive, frictionless, and in many cases habit-forming. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Scientists theorize this happens because happy memories trigger the release of habit-forming chemicals like dopamine. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 Dec. 2025

Aggregators will keep winning on habit-forming UX and algorithmic discovery. — Lin Cherry, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for habit-forming

• nonconforming
• nonperforming
• brainstorming
• conforming
• deforming
• heartwarming
• informing
• performing
• reforming
• rewarming
• transforming
• forming

Kids Definition

habit-forming

adjective

hab·​it-form·​ing

ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ

: causing an addiction

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