Definition of habit-formingnext
as in addictive
causing or relating to a physiological need for certain drugs warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming

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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-forming Aggregators will keep winning on habit-forming UX and algorithmic discovery. Lin Cherry, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 The argument is that these products were built with dangerously habit-forming features—including the endless-scroll feed, algorithmic recommendations, and push notifications—that have led to an array of serious health problems. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 Scientists theorize this happens because happy memories trigger the release of habit-forming chemicals like dopamine. Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 Dec. 2025 Limiting use is also important because some over-the-counter cold medicines and nasal sprays have been shown to be habit-forming. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025 As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025 The label also now no longer includes sugar as an example of habit-forming substances. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025 This week, social media users are sounding the alarm about the product, which some describe as habit-forming and detrimental to their health. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2025 The label also warns that the product can become habit-forming and recommends that people who have a history of substance abuse consider not consuming the product. Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit-forming
Adjective
  • Outreach workers and public health officials say the highly addictive synthetic opioid has devastated many people living on the streets nearby.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not classify social media use as an addictive disorder.
    Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Adding creamed corn to these drop biscuits turns them into an addicting mash-up of a moist cornbread and a buttery biscuit.
    Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
  • From the rise in single-use technology to the reclamation of physical media, individuals are pushing back against the impending dominance of AI technology, purposely addicting social media algorithms and efficiency as a replacement for craft with the analog movement.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 11 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Habit-forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit-forming. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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