Synonyms of congenital

congenital

adjective

kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl 

as in chronic

being such from birth or by nature

a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chronic
• born
• natural
• hereditary
• regular
• constitutional
• native
• proper
• habitual
• confirmed
• inherent
• innate
• intrinsic
• inveterate
• elementary
• elemental
• incorrigible
• essential
• inborn
• ingrained
• unregenerate
• unreconstructed
• consummate
• intimate
• intuitive
• connate
• instinctual

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonnatural
• developed
• foreign
• trained
• cultivated
• unnatural
• alien

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

Recent Examples of congenital

For years, Mullen was all too aware of a problem with his neck, a congenital fusion in a facet joint. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Suspicions of a link between extremely rare congenital infections and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been supported by a massive new study led by scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. — Mike McRae 24, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Eirian Powell, the neonatal manager, had analyzed Letby’s shifts, in addition to multiple factors that could have contributed to each death, including congenital abnormalities and failures with transportation between hospitals. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

This can lead to numerous health problems, including low blood sugar, fragile bones, traumatic injuries, congenital heart, airway and eye problems and even hydrocephalus, where excess fluid puts pressure on their brain. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026