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
The surf world is changing fast – consumer habits, supply chains, retail and even the sport itself are all evolving. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025 Over time, these habits sharpen focus, reduce errors and sustain productivity through stress. Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 Then Squeri pulled back the curtain a bit on just what the affluent millennial and Gen Z spending habits are saying about their habits and preferences. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025 Raiders-Chiefs game prediction Old habits in calling AFC West games would typically push me to take the Raiders and the points. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit
Noun
  • This is so as not to damage the delicate material and to maintain a peaceful setting in the space, as tatami mats are often placed in rooms set aside for praying and cultural rituals.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • One ritual that’s quickly become a favorite?
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The site sits just north of a Salvation Army addiction treatment center and west of neighborhoods near the intersection of Tibbs Avenue and Lafayette Road.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Alex is present as well, but beneath his gregarious personality is deep insecurity and pressure centering on his position at his law firm, his increasingly ballooning debt and a debilitating pain-pill addiction.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In an August 2008 SPIN Magazine interview, then-manager Dominique Trenier explained that D'Angelo's body was in the best shape of his life, but his muscular physique was new at the time of the filming.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • It was filmed shortly after Luka was on the cover of Men’s Health magazine with his new physique.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most of the bodies appear to belong to young men, and those who are clothed appear to be wearing civilian clothes.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The ultra-rare Mercedes-McLaren SLR is a timeless icon, one that almost mandates being clad a silver hue.
    Sean Evans, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Discussions have been held about dividing Madrid’s football operations from their business operations and letting speculators invest in the latter — although how (or if) that would work in practice is a moot point.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • In recent years, safety concerns have been raised at the plant, which faced federal fines several years ago related to workplace safety practices, according to federal records.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • About 150 volcanoes in the Atacama Andes—including Láscar, Chile’s most active—create this shape-shifting environment that’s as active as the travelers cresting it.
    Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Such unsupervised conversational shape-shifting would make this rogue Humbert particularly charismatic.
    Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Having slipped the painting under his clothing, Peruggia escaped the building undetected and wasn’t caught for two years.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
  • As with the previous mass No Kings protests, revolutionary messaging showed up in demonstrators' clothing, chants and signs as protesters sought to remind people that America was founded in opposition to monarchy.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Piersanti also dressed her in Ralph Lauren, John Smedley, Sebago and vintage Gioielleria Pennisi jewelry.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Fans, many dressed in the artist’s merchandise or girly pink outfits, hum with anticipation.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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