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

The official cause was septic shock caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026

Toregem is starting with people who have severe congenital hypodontia, then plans to expand into broader cases of tooth loss. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Their patients include children who have seizure disorders, congenital heart diseases that require surgery, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and leukemia, as well as others who need feeding tubes and ventilators to treat their illnesses, according to their court declarations. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Roughly one-third of congenital heart defects in children with Down syndrome resolve naturally, and many need only a minor intervention. — Michelle Sie Whitten, STAT, 25 June 2026