Synonyms of chronic

chronic

adjective

ˈkrä-nik 

as in persistent

being such by habit and not likely to change

a chronic smoker who has quit—many, many times

Synonyms & Similar Words

• persistent
• serial
• habitual
• inveterate
• regular
• steady
• stubborn
• addicted
• confirmed
• natural
• prone
• dyed-in-the-wool
• bred-in-the-bone
• incorrigible
• repeat
• inherent
• born
• unregenerate
• intrinsic
• accustomed
• unfailing
• unchanging
• unreconstructed
• innate
• inbred
• entrenched
• obstinate
• used
• deep-seated
• deep-rooted
• apt
• habituated
• wonted
• inclined
• mulish
• set

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• occasional
• unused
• intermittent
• unaccustomed

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

Recent Examples of chronic

Competing demands — for example, from illness, injury, or chronic stress — can appear not only as poor health, but also as negative conscious experiences such as anxiety, brain fog, and exhaustion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026

Extreme heat can become dangerous, especially for people living alone, managing chronic health conditions or unable to afford adequate air conditioning. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026

Houston's autopsy found she was acutely intoxicated with cocaine at the time of her death and showed evidence of chronic cocaine use. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Three years after buying Bellus Health and its chronic cough candidate camlipixant for around $2 billion, GSK is abandoning the program, Pharmaphorum points out. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 July 2026