Synonym Chooser

How is the word congenital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of congenital are hereditary, inborn, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur
eye color is hereditary

When can inborn be used instead of congenital?

While the synonyms inborn and congenital are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When could inbred be used to replace congenital?

Although the words inbred and congenital have much in common, inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

When is innate a more appropriate choice than congenital?

The words innate and congenital can be used in similar contexts, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

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 congenital This congenital condition affects less than 10% of people, but only about 5% experience symptoms. Jonathan B. Jassey, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025 Researchers from Northwestern University have successfully developed a pacemaker that fits in the tip of a syringe and can be inserted non-invasively into the hearts of newborn babies with congenital heart issues, according to a new study published in Nature. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025 Hernias in cats are rare but can occur, typically due to trauma or congenital defects (present from birth), according to pet food company Purina. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for congenital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congenital
Adjective
  • Adults with health conditions such as anxiety, depression and chronic pain were more likely to use the drug, the report stated.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
  • Complications from black-market silicone can include infection, migration of the silicone from one part of the body to another, chronic pain, disfigurement and, in some cases, death.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Shaw has said he was reborn after the shooting and years later would become a born-again Christian.
    Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 9 June 2019
  • In his mid-40s, Mr. Phillips had quietly become a born-again Christian after attending a Billy Graham rally.
    James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 18 Jan. 2019
Adjective
  • Thus, the founder set about building a line of functional, luxurious yet functional, holistic, and natural pet lifestyle products.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The rugged limestone walls reached to a ceiling with natural skylights, from which aerial roots of ficus trees hung like decorative drapery.
    Erik Trinidad, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The medical examiner ruled her death the result of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or hardened arteries, possibly due to a hereditary disorder.
    Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Most dermatologists believed that 90% of hair loss was hereditary and that the hormone testosterone was the cause once it was converted to its active form DHT.
    Caroline Tell, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congenital. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on congenital

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