INVETERATE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inveterate' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words chronic and confirmed are common synonyms of inveterate . While all three words mean "firmly established," inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable. // an inveterate smoker

Q: Where would 'chronic' be a reasonable alternative to 'inveterate'?

The words chronic and inveterate can be used in similar contexts, but chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome. // a chronic complainer

Q: In what contexts can 'confirmed' take the place of 'inveterate'?

The meanings of confirmed and inveterate largely overlap; however, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform. // a confirmed bachelor

inveterate

adjective

in-ˈve-t(ə-)rət

Definition of inveterate

as in deep

firmly established over time he has an inveterate tendency to tell some very tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chronic

being such by habit and not likely to change the man is an inveterate liar who only rarely tells the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inveterate distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words chronic and confirmed are common synonyms of inveterate. While all three words mean "firmly established," inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

Where would chronic be a reasonable alternative to inveterate?

The words chronic and inveterate can be used in similar contexts, but chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

In what contexts can confirmed take the place of inveterate?

The meanings of confirmed and inveterate largely overlap; however, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

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 inveterate The far-outside post doesn’t compromise this inveterate deep closer, but a lack of pace up front definitely will. — Teresa Genaro, New York Times, 5 June 2026 Ransomware and data extortion is an inveterate digital security problem, and attackers regularly repeat targets and stoop to new lows in carrying out large-scale disruptive attacks. — Lily Hay Newman, Wired News, 12 May 2026 Critics of Israel often rightly point out that Palestinian radicalization is less the result of inveterate ideology than of continuous Israeli occupation, violence, and dispossession. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 An inveterate self-promoter, Salieri is determined to control how he’ll be remembered. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inveterate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inveterate

Adjective

While countries like Sweden and France are pursuing similar deep geological repositories, Finland has officially crossed the finish line first.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
John Anderson, the beloved hitmaker known for his deep country warble, died on Wednesday at the age of 71.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep

Adjective

People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Many monkeys died, while others developed chronic immunodeficiency.

— Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

With her Democratic Socialists of America sass, bright amethyst blazers and Bollywood needle drops on Instagram, the lifelong Angeleno cuts a stark contrast to her rival, Deputy Dist.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The 62-year-old man, a lifelong resident of Athens, said the cost of gas, utilities and groceries have become burdensome.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifelong

Adjective

Miller makes the statistical adjustments required to nail the probabilities inherent in the prices.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Curic and his team have dialed down the caricature and delivered elegance to go with the innate drama of the vehicle, which is less obviously in hock to downforce or to the cooling demands inherent with other McLarens.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of inherent

Adjective

After arriving on a private jet, Rebecca, Zelda, and Higgins have to sit with an enthusiastic member of the hoi polloi, a hard-core fan who’s made a trek to be at the game but has somehow escaped from the cheap seats to sit with them.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
The loudest hard-core German music can reach 107dB when measured with a decibel meter, which is incredibly loud (ear-damagingly so).

— Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard-core

Adjective

Notably, the record has changed hands several times in the last few years, reflecting a landscape in which big hits become entrenched in consistent streaming performance and radio airplay cycles that led to extensive, chart-topping runs.

— Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026
How far might a nation go that had no kings to depose, no entrenched hierarchies to uproot, a country so young and iconoclastic and resource-rich?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of entrenched

Adjective

Porto’s has grown from a Silver Lake strip mall in 1976 to multiple locations, while its owners say future expansion will remain rooted in Southern California.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
While there was plenty of skin on display — transparent dresses, breasts covered merely by jewelry or a model’s hand, and plunging necklines — the brand is deeply rooted in inclusivity.

— Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rooted

Adjective

Harford County residents on alert The confirmed case inside an elementary school has some Harford County residents concerned about the presence of wildlife in the community.

— Ashley Paul, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The Ebola outbreak centered in the eastern Ituri province is the fastest-growing in the disease’s history and remains out of control with 5,713 confirmed cases, including 2,744 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of confirmed

Browse Nearby Words

inveteracy

inveterate

invidious

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“Inveterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveterate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inveterate

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