habit 1 of 2

1
2
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs a cocaine habit of long standing

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in physique
the type of body that a person has an imposing man of vigorous habit

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

habit

2 of 2

verb

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
So is the face Manning made Saturday simply a habit? Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025 This measure reflects the spending habits of younger urban workers rather than retirees. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 As many young workers struggle with punctuality and deadlines, Gomez’s habits reflect professionalism, preparation, and respect. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025 Growing up, my parents spoke about spending habits and the importance of saving. R29 Team, Refinery29, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit
Noun
  • Wellness is embedded into every touchpoint - from sunrise cacao rituals on the beach to temazcal ceremonies led by local healers.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • That ritual has become both mirror and armor—the quiet mathematics that kept her whole.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And Sheen does find the words to tell more harrowing stories of addiction and excess that defined his Hollywood spiral.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kids can develop an unhealthy focus on protein with the desire to achieve a certain physique.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025
  • That is how Elia chances upon Claudia, a personal trainer with the cult of physique but clearly not of mind…In Italian with English subtitles.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Designed by Foster + Partners, the restaurant is striking, clad entirely in rare white onyx across the floors, walls, and tables.
    Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The exterior is clad in wood and topped with a metal roof.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The development pool is designed to give younger players access to daily practices, training sessions and a dedicated performance staff.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Panthers should probably promote practice-squad linebacker Krys Barnes in the coming weeks as insurance for Trevin Wallace, who was a major liability in Week 1 after a really strong summer.
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But another medieval shape-loving star is Sydney Sweeney, a friend of Sánchez-Bezos and one of her many celebrity wedding guests.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The content drew attention to the country’s inequality by contrasting the lives of the children of the country’s elite – with designer clothing and foreign vacations – with images of Nepali migrant workers returning home in coffins from dangerous jobs abroad.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The lifestyle brand, best known for its range of products from clothing to home goods, boasts an online catalog of quiet luxury items at budget-friendly prices.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Julia was dressed in a chic oversized suit (her specialty) and heeled boots and a white striped tie, while Roberts wore a semi-sheer black gown with minimal jewelry.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
  • During this year’s All-Star Weekend, Colson did a stand-up comedy routine, opening for Leslie Jones and Cedric the Entertainer; Brooks dressed her in an all-leather getup from designer Karl Kani, the same designer Dave Chappelle wore in his classic 1993 Just For Laughs set.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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