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 The proud mom welcomed Jones, who was born with Down syndrome and a rare congenital colon abnormality, in August 2022. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 After the death of the narrator’s sister’s infant child due to a congenital disorder, her family flies to Scotland, where the narrator almost instantly contracts COVID. Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025 Four received cardiovascular tissue transplants that can replace valves and vessels in patients with congenital heart defects or heart disease. Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025 The leading causes of infant mortality in Mississippi are congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the state’s news release, in line with CDC data on the top causes nationwide. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for congenital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congenital
Adjective
  • There’s plenty of research to back the diet’s benefits for weight management, elongating your lifespan and reducing your risk of certain chronic illnesses.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Researchers found that people with chronic insomnia (who struggle to sleep at least three nights a week for three months or longer) have faster-declining brain function than their age would suggest.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Sep. 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
  • Her pieces consisted of geometric tops influenced by flowers’ natural designs and also modernized micro shorts.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Many lodges are locally run, and connections to nearby villages feel natural, not staged.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even family histories of cancer-prone women and identical twins only hinted at their hereditary links, which wouldn’t be fully understood until modern genetics came into play.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded to keep the focus on the potential impact of endurance exercise alone.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congenital. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on congenital

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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