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
• inveterate
• habitual
• incorrigible
• confirmed
• inborn
• ingrained
• innate
• inherent
• intrinsic
• elementary
• elemental
• unregenerate
• unreconstructed
• essential
• consummate
• engrained
• intimate
• instinctual
• intuitive
• connate

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

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

The gene therapy treatment is only for the congenital or inherited type. —Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

Syphilis at 'dire' levels in newborns, CDC warns The New York State Department of Health (NYDOH) is warning about the risks of congenital syphilis after three infant deaths related to the disease have been reported in the state so far this year. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2025