Synonym Chooser

How is the word habitual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of habitual are accustomed, customary, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for habitual?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When can customary be used instead of habitual?

The meanings of customary and habitual largely overlap; however, customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

When would usual be a good substitute for habitual?

In some situations, the words usual and habitual are roughly equivalent. However, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

In what contexts can wonted take the place of habitual?

Although the words wonted and habitual have much in common, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

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 habitual And yet, people tend to explain their habitual behavior by appealing to their goals and desires. Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025 Knutson points out that anticipation can induce repetitive betting behavior, stating that the speed of dopamine release is important for reinforcing habitual behavior. Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 That can be hard for habitual worriers, Brown says, because many people mistakenly equate worrying with preparation or problem solving—but studies suggest the opposite is often true. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024 Based on the data, the researchers found a link between habitual daytime napping and larger brain volume. Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for habitual 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual
Adjective
  • Here are 5 things to know At the same time, BMI alone has long been known to be a major risk factor for the development of serious chronic ailments.
    Faye Chiu, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
  • There are so many factors that play into chronic gut issues.
    Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bustling households with crawling toddlers or a pack of mud-prone paws may benefit from even more frequent mopping, while empty nesters may get away with once a month.
    Maria Conti, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The Statue of Liberty became a frequent motif Guantánamo artists deployed to communicate the betrayal of U.S. laws and ideals.
    Alexandra Moore, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which provides health care and housing for homeless Coloradans, cannot access its regular funding streams that help cover rent for hundreds of people and provide health care for thousands more.
    Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
  • There is a lot of work to do between now and the end of the regular season, including nine conference games. UConn (14-8-1) is ranked ninth in the USCHO national poll, and No. 9 is the USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The hum is punctuated with the crackle of flames and the buckling of timber and the periodic pop of exploding gas lines somewhere in the distance, all of which gets louder as the fire bears down on you.
    Peter Kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The movement was classified by periodic pulses, or bursts of mobility that lasted for one to two hours.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Only one of them, Jamie Baker of JP Morgan, asked CEO Robert Isom to respond to repeated mentions by United CEO Scott Kirby that American underperforms its two peers.
    Ted Reed, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • When the customer followed up, Lutz allegedly made repeated excuses and offered partial reimbursements, but would not fulfill the customer’s demand for a full refund.
    Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near habitual

Cite this Entry

“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on habitual

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