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

Make Time for a Real Break One of the habits that best embodies the spirit of lagom is fika, the traditional Swedish coffee break. — Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026 Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images Like most of its New England neighbors, Connecticut is remarkably healthy, and its residents practice healthy habits. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2026 Consumption habits evolve, distribution evolves, new business models emerge. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026 Experts recommend using it alongside other treatments and healthy habits rather than relying on it alone. — Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for habit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit

Noun

After matches, Japanese fans once again stayed behind to collect trash from the stadium rows, continuing a practice that has become one of the most recognizable rituals in global sport.

— Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
For travelers, this shift requires participating in a rigorous environmental ritual that challenges the traditional hands-off approach to vacationing.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of ritual

Noun

In anticipation of the birth of his son, Ferguson had kicked a nagging heroin habit, trading his addiction to drugs for an infatuation with activism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Trump weighs a return to war with Iran There are growing signs that gambling addiction is rising along with this boom.

— Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 10 July 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

Some of the other presidents’ physical activities prompted some reflection on his own physique.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
They’ve been specially designed in sizes that acknowledge that the world includes people with different physiques, but where their faces would be, there’s a mirror.

— Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Definition of physique

Noun

Surveillance cameras captured a person dressed in dark clothing on a nearby roof overlooking the courtyard less than ten minutes before the killing, prosecutors said in charging documents.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The same goes for discovering petite-friendly clothing brands with styles that not only fit, but also flatter shorter frames.

— Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026

Definition of clothing

Verb

Next to her was a colleague, Santiago Salazar, 22, clad in his black Mexican World Cup team jersey.

— Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
The home's exterior is clad in insulated metal panels with a high level of insulation, which is important since the shelters are deployed year-round, including during Canada's extremely cold winters.

— Adam Williams July 10, New Atlas, 10 July 2026

Definition of clothe

Noun

In March, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned on X that oil refiners and corporations engaged in price-fixing would be held accountable, vowing to deploy all lawful measures against unethical business practices.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Even with this practice, there should be an effort, if possible, to avoid training or competition during the hottest times of day.

— Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

Additionally, the 100-percent cotton fabric is soft, comfortable, and durable, which means the pants won’t stretch out or lose their shape.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 8 July 2026
The slim shape gives off cool-girl energy, while the tortoiseshell finish keeps them feeling classic.

— Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Definition of shape

Noun

The couple’s attire, along with performances by A-list singers, is believed to have added another $2 million to their bill.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 10 July 2026
Will’s obsessive, put-upon mother, Susan (Tandi Wright), belittles Alice, dresses her down for her attire at the funeral, and forces her to wear heels that don’t fit, leaving her feet bloody.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Definition of attire

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“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of habit

noun

verb

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