Synonyms of habitual

habitual

adjective

hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl 

1

as in chronic

being such by habit and not likely to change

she admits she's a habitual procrastinator, but she still manages to meet all her deadlines

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chronic
• persistent
• serial
• regular
• inveterate
• steady
• addicted
• stubborn
• confirmed
• natural
• prone
• dyed-in-the-wool
• incorrigible
• repeat
• bred-in-the-bone
• accustomed
• inherent
• born
• unregenerate
• unreconstructed
• unchanging
• unfailing
• intrinsic
• innate
• entrenched
• habituated
• used
• wonted
• inbred
• obstinate
• apt
• deep-seated
• deep-rooted
• inclined
• intrenched
• mulish
• set

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• occasional
• unused
• intermittent
• unaccustomed

2

as in frequent

appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time

her supervisor warned her that she could be fired for habitual tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frequent
• regular
• periodic
• repeated
• steady
• constant
• periodical
• continual
• recurrent
• intermittent
• chronic
• recurring
• cyclical
• cyclic
• hourly
• inveterate
• usual
• confirmed
• expected
• around-the-clock
• round-the-clock
• 24-7
• 24/7

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• infrequent
• irregular
• occasional
• inconstant
• episodic
• unusual
• unexpected
• episodical

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

Recent Examples of habitual

In The Humane Interface, Raskin not only discusses concepts such as leaping and habitual command behaviors but means of quantitative assessment as well. —Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025

Reported habitual exposure to violent media was also a risk factor for dangerous behavior around firearms, researchers noted. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Research suggests that habitual lottery players – especially those with low incomes – see the gamble as an investment rather than a form of entertainment. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

Out of 62 healthy males and females, 32 participants were selected with both habitual low fluid intake and habitual high fluid intake. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025