as in persistent
being such by habit and not likely to change
a chronic smoker who has quit—many, many times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
In total, Cataldi’s practice billed the government for over 1,800 balloon sinuplasty procedures — an outpatient procedure used to treat chronic sinus infections.
—
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
At low doses, cannabis can help regulate nausea and chronic pain.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
Too much carbon dioxide can also lead to a condition called hypercapnia, or too much CO2 in your bloodstream, which can become chronic and affect your lungs, brain, nerves and muscles, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
What the Research Showed The study, funded by the National Mango Board, involved 48 adult men ages 20-60 who had overweight or obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
At low doses, cannabis can help regulate nausea and chronic pain.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
Too much carbon dioxide can also lead to a condition called hypercapnia, or too much CO2 in your bloodstream, which can become chronic and affect your lungs, brain, nerves and muscles, according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
What the Research Showed The study, funded by the National Mango Board, involved 48 adult men ages 20-60 who had overweight or obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
-
Students continue to struggle with foundational skills like reading and math, with persistent rates of underperformance even years after disruptive events such as the pandemic.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
By Michael Sasso | Bloomberg US homebuilders’ confidence slipped again this month, bogged down by persistent worries over affordability and high construction costs.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Initially launching her career as a printmaker, Maurer in the late 1960s shifted her attention to photography and painting as means of exploring the serial aspects of motion, a concept that would fascinate her all her life.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Following Paul Avery’s extensive coverage of the case, the serial killer threatened the reporter directly.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Research has found that habitual, unnecessary apologizing can erode how others perceive your competence and confidence.—
Erin McGoff,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Once it’s established, a habitual program basically runs on automatic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 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
-
Suites with interconnecting doors across the balcony are a great choice for larger families, and most regular activities include child-friendly options, like the beginner’s surfing classes in calmer waves or toddler bikes for cycling along the nature reserve.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Honorable mentions New to the regular concession offerings, the Baja-style fruit cups are a light and refreshing snack containing slices of watermelon, mango, jicama and cucumber and they are garnished with chamoy, lime juice and Tajin.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Every day, a steady stream of items gets left behind at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in airports across the world, from pocket knives to headphones to peanut butter and oversized bottles of perfume.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Tharia’s Jane, meanwhile, is both vulnerable and volatile, sometimes letting slip a mass of frightened, warring impulses behind her still, steady gaze.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One person refuses to bow — not an army, not a revolution, one stubborn Jew minding his own business — and Haman cannot function.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, focusing on stubborn areas.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The progression of limerence can be understood as a shift from desiring another person to becoming addicted to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Simpson's mom was 16 when he was born and became addicted to crack, and his dad abandoned him at birth.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
