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 death was originally classified as an accident and attributed to congenital heart abnormalities, even though his parents said there had never been any sign of such problems. Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Worldwide, it’s estimated that 240,000 babies die within their first 28 days due to congenital birth defects. Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 10 May 2025 This dark and somewhat manic depiction features Lee Cleveland, a congenital amputee, as Abe, a one-armed farmer, and Sarah Beth Budd as his wife Edie. Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 This rare congenital heart condition defect occurs in around 1 out of every 12,000 births, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for congenital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congenital
Adjective
  • In comparison, many people use hot therapy to manage chronic conditions, aching joints, and tight muscles.
    Novant Health, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
  • Omada offers virtual care programs to support patients with chronic conditions like prediabetes, diabetes and hypertension.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 6 June 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 runway debut made a powerful case for natural beauty, nostalgic glamour, and Black women as the blueprint.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • Atlantic Aviation in Aspen, Colorado, also carries an upscale lodge look, though its location and design lets private fliers to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty.
    Chris Dong, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • This hereditary disease causes your body to absorb too much iron from your diet.
    Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 24 May 2025
  • One of the Clarksons likely received the Magna Carta at some point in the early 1800s from William Lowther, the hereditary lord of Appleby manor.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congenital. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on congenital

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