CHRONIC Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

chronic

adjective

ˈkrä-nik

Definition of chronic

as in persistent

being such by habit and not likely to change a chronic smoker who has quit—many, many times

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 People who have it are more likely to develop chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026 But chronic pain presents a particular challenge for this style of evidence gathering. — Antje M. Barreveld, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 In addition to having an outstanding spa, the hotel is also home to a medical spa with doctors on-site to help address issues ranging from stress and burnout to chronic pain and diabetes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 For the first time, many people living with chronic hepatitis B may have a functional cure at hand. — New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chronic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic

Adjective

Those capabilities could help address a persistent challenge in counter-drone warfare.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
This cycle of price increases serves not only to offset immediate fuel price spikes, but also to make up for unadjusted pricing power lost in recent years due to flight overcapacity, fare suppression, and persistent inflation.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

One of the world’s leading experts in the realm of serial killers grew up on the Northwest Side of the city and now lives in Lincoln Square.

— Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Stephen Graham plays our villain, Jurek Walter, a serial killer imprisoned in solitary confinement in a concrete cell in the basement of a psychiatric hospital but apparently still working his will on the world.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of serial

Adjective

Prosecutors say Morgan is also charged as a habitual offender, fourth offense.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of habitual

Adjective

The Beach Boys’ touring machine has been going nearly nonstop for the last 65 or so years, as Stamos and Christian Love noted in the intro, driven by Mike as one of pop music’s most inveterate and even seemingly compulsive tourers.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
An inveterate performer, Carvey gave off a sense of perpetual people-pleasing, and the results were undeniably popular and hilarious, as the laughs echoed throughout his sketches.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of inveterate

Adjective

And after a few key results on Saturday, there’s some clarity behind Miami in the conference standings with five weeks left in the regular season.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Market and restaurant regular Heather Anderson and her wife were contributors.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of regular

Adjective

As renewable energy contributes a larger share of electricity generation, nuclear plants may need to become more flexible without compromising the steady operation of their reactors.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country's darkest hour.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of steady

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Smith grew up in a small town in rural northern Alabama and became addicted to drugs as a teenager, his lawyers said in court documents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent for designing their apps in ways that caused children to become addicted and suffer mental-health harms.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of addicted

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“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chronic

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