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

Even so, Anthropic has a habit of landing on ambiguity about the fallout of its technology. — Matthew Sun, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 The habit is so ingrained that Mike Pawlawski — a former Cal quarterback and radio analyst — once recalled Mendoza reaching for the notebook during dinners at his house. — Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 This belief likely arose from the species’ habit of sharing such sites with other snakes. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 Here are a few habits to avoid to keep guests happy and at ease. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for habit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit

Noun

Hossain and her collaborators have conjured an internalized hellscape marked by sensual photography, gnarly cyst makeup, and suffocating matrimonial rituals involving turmeric and milk — all redolent with upper-class heteronormative rot.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
The science on salt stomping is thin, but the science on consistent, phone-free wind-down rituals is not.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of ritual

Noun

Other secret variants included simplified, unsharpened ones to be dropped to resistance fighters that would hide their origin, as well as special small versions or ones with rings in the handle so they could be sewn into clothing or boots.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Few people want to invest in pricier clothing, bespoke interior design services, or luxury furnishings without ever talking with a live person.

— John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of clothing

Noun

Though none of the players who were cut seriously threatened for spots, a few should return to the practice squad.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Though interest in peptides is popular in certain wellness circles, including with podcasters like Joe Rogan, many of those who are seeking alternative medicine or who are going back to traditional cultural practices don’t fit the MAHA archetype.

— Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

Favoring bold colors like royal blue, granny apple green and unexpected combinations like mauve and burgundy for her tennis attire, Eala is tough to miss on the courts.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Brightly colored and casual beach attire is a no-fail way to get flagged as a vulnerable tourist while abroad.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 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 7 Sep. 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

gist

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes