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 While Ball stayed healthy enough to play 72 games this past season, he's dealt with chronic ankle injuries since entering the NBA. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump. Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Harvard Health reports the associations may stretch well beyond the gut, from autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies, asthma, acne, obesity and even mental illness. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 Through that experience, Vergara learned that high blood pressure can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
  • The launch includes five solution categories—Restaurant Assistant, Packer, Picker, Folder, and Host—targeting persistent labor shortages in sectors such as industrial operations, logistics, healthcare, food services, lodging, and experiential venues.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026
  • Why is this padding so persistent?
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Roberts acquired World English, audio with the author narrating, and first serial rights from Joe Veltre of The Gersh Agency.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
  • What makes serial entrepreneurs excel in this situation is translating their secret sauce into a language that others can understand, use and amplify.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • In invalidating the comparisons, Gorsuch focused on the purpose of the laws aimed at the habitual drunkards of the 18th century.
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
  • Five additional felony charges — including a lead stalking charge and a habitual offender sentencing enhancement — were dismissed.
    Madison Lambert, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The inveterate white supremacist Woodrow Wilson mouthed anti-colonial rhetoric before reverting to form at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.
    Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
  • The far-outside post doesn’t compromise this inveterate deep closer, but a lack of pace up front definitely will.
    Teresa Genaro, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 25-year-old registered a career-high 42 points in 82 regular-season games for Buffalo during the 2025-26 season, and tied career highs with 11 goals and 31 assists last season.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • Golden State entered the draft lottery after going 37-45 during the regular season and bowing out in the play-in tournament.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The parents of a 7-year-old Michigan boy whose weight ballooned to 255 pounds due to a steady diet of chips, French fries and apple juice are accused of killing their son.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • What steady choice builds real trust at work?
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Dealing with stubborn dark spots?
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
  • But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star fades away, a stubborn little bird named Pikkuli sets off on a winter adventure with friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the fifth installment follows Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang of anthropomorphic toys as their owner Bonnie becomes addicted to her new favorite gadget, a kiddie smart tablet known as Lilypad.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 June 2026
  • The state does not sufficiently fund services for people who become addicted to gambling via the sports-betting apps on their phones, mental health experts say, and there are not enough therapists trained to treat gambling addiction.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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