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 What makes Tagovailoa’s comments of particular concern was that habitual lateness led to the team’s cultural reset ahead of the 2025 season, something that involved trading away one of their best players in Jalen Ramsey. Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025 In the 1880s, a New York heiress with an active and unorthodox social life was declared a habitual drunkard, placed under a legal guardianship, and later confined to an asylum. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2025 Rays fans hope habitual cost-cutting will end with new ownership and an influx of capital. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Offer Concrete Alternatives For Connection When an old ritual disappears, what partners often miss is not just the activity itself but the habitual cues of connection embedded within it. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habitual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual
Adjective
  • Mindfulness is also helpful for people with chronic stress.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Rising seas also are projected to cause chronic flooding at coastal military bases in the coming decades, with half of coastal bases each facing 270 or more flood events every year, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
    Ames Alexander, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Eleanor Roosevelt, who professionalized the office of the first lady during her husband's administration, was also a frequent user of the East Wing.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Bailey, a staunch conservative, dramatically increased his statewide profile in 2020 as a frequent critic of Pritzker’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic — including refusing to wear a mask during legislative sessions.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Getting a deal done would arguably be even more difficult for Buffalo given that the Bills and Dolphins play in the same division (AFC East) and square off twice every regular season.
    Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Blue Jays haven’t hit a pinch slam in a regular-season game in more than seven years.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The expectation should be annual bowl games with periodic 10-win seasons.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Unless something changes in Columbus, the only legally available way to close that gap and keep our schools operating is periodic local school levies.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cities should only get involved in the case of actual and repeated nuisances.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Prior to the alleged killing, the victim’s husband reported that Derrick Alling made repeated threats toward his mother and demanded his inheritance from her, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on habitual

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