HABIT Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'habit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of habit are custom , practice , usage , and wont . While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively. // had a habit of tapping his fingers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'custom' instead of 'habit'?

Although the words custom and habit have much in common, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'practice' take the place of 'habit'?

In some situations, the words practice and habit 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

Q: When could 'usage' be used to replace 'habit'?

While the synonyms usage and habit are close in meaning, 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

Q: When can 'wont' be used instead of 'habit'?

The synonyms wont and habit are sometimes interchangeable, but wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group. // as was her wont , she slept until noon

habit 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-bət

Definition of habit

as in ritual

a usual manner of behaving or doing it was his habit to rise early

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in addiction

a physiological need for certain drugs a cocaine habit of long standing

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in physique

the type of body that a person has an imposing man of vigorous habit

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in clothes

archaic covering for the human body dressed in the habit of a knight from the golden age of chivalry

Synonyms & Similar Words

habit

2 of 2

verb

as in to clothe

to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes his exclusive clothing store had habited the town's upper crust for as long as anyone could remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun habit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of habit are custom, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is it sensible to use custom instead of habit?

Although the words custom and habit have much in common, 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

In what contexts can practice take the place of habit?

In some situations, the words practice and habit 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

When could usage be used to replace habit?

While the synonyms usage and habit are close in meaning, 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

When can wont be used instead of habit?

The synonyms wont and habit are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 habit

Noun

In line with Parton’s original goal, the Imagination Library may do the most to change reading habits in lower-income homes – where children’s books tend to be scarce. — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026 The organizations that deploy AI successfully share three habits. — Olufunsho Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Here’s how to make that long game work in your favor—and how to recognize and quit all of the habits that might be undermining your skin along the way. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026 Interior designers and professional organizers say most kitchens hide usable square footage in plain sight, trapped behind clutter, bad habits and bulky gear that could be stored smarter or edited out entirely. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit

Noun

As the investigation uncovers a string of killings linked to a strange ritual, the two are pushed into working together, facing down otherworldly threats as well as unfinished business from Lan’s past.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing a cuppa stimulation — our choice today is English breakfast — and foraging for items of interest.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ritual

Noun

That growth has fueled disputes with states and Native American tribes over regulatory authority, while drawing scrutiny from sports leagues over game integrity and from advocates who say the platforms’ accessibility increases the risk of addiction.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
As live shopping grows, platforms like Whatnot have also grappled with issues such as theft and addiction claims.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

An actor known for his macho presence and muscular physique, Sylvester Stallone does not fit the stereotype of a person with an eating disorder.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Gavin Francis From its origins in the classical physique and homoerotic spectacle, bodybuilding today often involves the use of steroids whose dangers are not properly understood.

— Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of physique

Noun

Instead of afternoons spent browsing racks of clothing and getting advice from trusted salespeople, shoppers find inspiration from social media.

— Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026
The clothing retailer will be responsible for developing a multi-episode docuseries, national mall tour and a clothing collection with the rising pop stars, according to a press release.

— Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of clothing

Verb

Also on the premises are a striking one-bedroom cabin clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, and sweeping mountain and city lights views from every vantage point.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Union members and their supporters were dressed colorfully, clad in red or green, and their march through the Brussels city center passed off peacefully.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of clothe

Noun

At one point during Thursday’s 45-minute open practice/scrimmage situation, KU head coach Bill Self corrected Rosario for passing instead of taking the open 3-pointer.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
The plaintiff argues those practices reduced competition among restaurants and led customers to pay higher prices.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

For Miraval The Red Sea, Foster + Partners architects have designed 180 guest rooms, suites, and villas with biophilic shapes and natural materials, allowing the accommodations to seamlessly fit into the landscape.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
The team notes that this version uses one cell line, muscle fibers aligned in one direction and simple shapes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of shape

Noun

The policy also says if an employee is found to be wearing inappropriate attire, they may be instructed to return home and change into appropriate clothing.

— Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Like Johnson’s attire, Hathaway’s look incorporated plenty of sparkle, though the crushed fabric on the bodice creating a rosette effect certainly elevated the look.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of attire

Articles Related to habit

Cite this Entry

Style

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of habit

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

'Snotter', 'Groak', and 6 More Words...

Odd Habits and Quirks

A Nun's 'Habit' & A Mini-Skirt

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on habit

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

galore

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes