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

June is health awareness month for Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder), aphasia (a communications disorder), congenital cytomegalovirus, migraines, scleroderma and scoliosis. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026

This is called congenital toxoplasmosis. —Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

Facing a turning point in her life, a woman with a congenital heart defect embarks on a journey to train for a stage of the Tour de France. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026

Facing a turning point in her life, a woman with a congenital heart defect embarks on a journey to train for a stage of the Tour de France. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026