Definition of chronicnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chronic distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words confirmed and inveterate are common synonyms of chronic. While all three words mean "firmly established," chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

When can confirmed be used instead of chronic?

The words confirmed and chronic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

When could inveterate be used to replace chronic?

While the synonyms inveterate and chronic are close in meaning, inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chronic And for those with chronic conditions, every year that passes without a cure closes the aperture on what quality of life is eventually possible. Becky Quick, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026 According to his family, serious chronic-health conditions necessitated his early retirement from the entertainment industry in 1998. Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026 This work influenced how researchers understood chronic illness and disability and laid the groundwork for later debates on what counts as pathological or normal. Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026 This Zoom event, sponsored by the Anaheim Public Library and co-hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County, will be an opportunity to learn how chronic stress and unmanaged emotions can affect your cognitive function. Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
  • But the discharges also can overwhelm the delicate estuaries east and west of the state’s largest lake and, during the warm summer months, spread blooms of toxic algae, an issue that has become more persistent in recent years.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In Bug, Carrie Coon's Agnes White — an Oklahoma waitress too exhausted to outrun her past — faces a more persistent threat.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Remember Billy Bulger, the Corrupt Midget, brother of Democrat serial killer Whitey Bulger?
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But to stop a serial killer, Clarice must confront her own inner darkness.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In court, an assistant state attorney said McCoy never should have been driving, telling the judge that his license was revoked as a habitual traffic offender.
    Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Murrill’s office also invoked the habitual offenders statute, where criminal defendants can be tagged as habitual offenders after a fourth felony charge, according to Louisiana law, and face longer prison sentences.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Chris Matthews, the inveterate Washington insider and analyst, joins us to talk about the state of politics and the press.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
  • The La Mancha manor home’s namesake, Josie, (real name is José Fernández-Pacheco) is an inveterate aesthete who is best known to Spanish television audiences as a presenter extraordinaire.
    Maite Sebastiá, Architectural Digest, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • He was eventually promoted to the 53-man roster and played in the final five games of the regular season.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Love threw for 323 and four touchdowns after missing the final two regular-season games.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Canales wants to keep the operation steady and focused this week.
    Mike Kaye January 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Property owners and brokers, however, are encouraged by a steady increase in asking rents in the South Bay, according to the report.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • These two ingredients mixed together creates a powerful mixture perfect for lifting stubborn stains off grout because of their high cleaning and brightening properties.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Plaintiffs claimed that Feel Free was marketed as a drink that could induce calmness and relaxation, and was no more habit-forming than caffeine—but that using the product had led many customers to become addicted to it.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
  • According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Perry became addicted to ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death, injecting the drug sometimes six to eight times a day.
    Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on chronic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!