custom 1 of 2

custom

2 of 2

adjective

as in customized
made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer that business tycoon wears only custom suits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun custom differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of custom are habit, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

the custom of wearing black at funerals

When can habit be used instead of custom?

Although the words habit and custom have much in common, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is practice a more appropriate choice than custom?

In some situations, the words practice and custom are roughly equivalent. However, practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

Where would usage be a reasonable alternative to custom?

The synonyms usage and custom are sometimes interchangeable, but usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

western-style dress is now common usage in international business

In what contexts can wont take the place of custom?

The words wont and custom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 custom
Noun
Safari uses a custom web rendering engine called WebKit, which, like Chrome's Blink engine, is an open-source project. PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 Best Hotel Sheets on Amazon While Frette creates custom Italian linens, the brand also has a sister brand, H by Frette, with bed sheets of premium quality at a budget-friendly price point on Amazon. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Schulz is well-known for the unique, custom, mosaic sculptural ceramic she’s created for Solana Beach. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025 Cadillac is the latest to offer customers new ways to make their new luxury cars bespoke, or at least highly custom, unveiling a program called Curated by Cadillac on Tuesday that will be offered for 2026 CT5-V Blackwings. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custom
Noun
  • Shot against the stunning backdrops of New Zealand, the campaign shows how even the smallest moments of a morning ritual — from the hiss of steam to the first swirl of crema — can embody calm and indulgence.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Their 13th album, International, interprets the ritual of early retirement sendoff as a boisterous dance party with plenty of music royalty cameos showing up to pay their respects.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The kitchen turns out dishes influenced by a range of traditions, and with the recent addition of the renowned chef Byron Rubio, the menu is reaching new heights of creativity and refinement.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Since the release of ChatGPT, in 2022, colleges and universities have been engaged in an experiment to discover whether artificially intelligent chatbots and the liberal-arts tradition can coexist.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, social media platforms drive roughly 80% of total online traffic in the country and serve as vital channels for business and communication.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The agreement aims to bolster US-UK collaboration between trillion-dollar tech sectors, enhancing opportunities for businesses and consumers.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This method provides a systematic approach to relationship building, moving beyond generic networking advice to create customized strategies for your unique career transition.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • As a result, Voorne aan Zee municipality imposed customized regulations on the farm to reduce odor, DCMR said.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leaders who treat this period as an opportunity to establish alignment, celebrate progress, and embed new habits set their organizations on a trajectory toward lasting ROI.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Adults who have trouble sleeping or don’t maintain healthy sleeping habits can often trace those issues back to their first few months of life, says Golshevky.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • See rules for Competitive Wordle toward the end of this post.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Spanish competition’s salary limit rules basically set the amount of money teams are allowed to spend on player’s wages.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Business owners in the area remembered the designer’s patronage fondly.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Princess Kate's patronage is a newer royal role.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Remember, every application is a tailored pitch.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • From breezy wide-leg pants to tailored joggers, these fashion finds will keep you comfy and put-together from day to night and throughout your travels—no iron necessary.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custom. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on custom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!