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

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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 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 Also, the industry essence of the French TV festival is co-production and Canadian producers are inveterate co-producers. — John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Mar. 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

Many athletes are motivated by a deep hatred of losing, more so than a love of winning.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
There’s also a deep respect for craftsmanship—from marble carving, for which the Cyclades are famous, to fishing, farming, and handmade work.

— Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of deep

Adjective

While images of destruction flooded social media, 68-year-old Chris White, a lifelong resident of Kauai and the owner of a rental home in Poipu, noted that much of the island was spared significant damage.

— GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
This emergency connection solved an immediate health crisis, but not the contamination itself, said Jennifer Rawlison, a lifelong Newburgh resident turned clean water advocate.

— Austin Fast, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of lifelong

Adjective

But Dead Zone backs still didn’t hit elite scoring seasons at a substantially better rate than late-round RBs, despite the inherent advantages of having stronger early-season roles, and that only amplifies the ceiling point.

— Ben Gretch, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Now, as then, the world is churning over the identities of peoples and nations based on either ethnicity and religion or the values and rights inherent in all mankind.

— Kurt Shillinger, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of inherent

Adjective

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
After reports of a lousy atmosphere during Argentina’s narrow victory over Egypt, in the round of sixteen, there were rumors that hundreds of hard-core supporters had been flown to Atlanta, to pep things up in the stadium.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of hard-core

Adjective

Yet entrenched misogyny and debates over gender equality within the religion have persisted, particularly over women’s access to temples andcertain rituals.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
So deeply entrenched are the problems confronting higher education that a growing chorus of innovators says the easiest way to fix them is to begin again from scratch.

— Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of entrenched

Adjective

And this convergence underscores how their varied yet deeply rooted commitments to values of equality and fairness helped shift and shape society for the better.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Vandell, as a bar, achieves the same qualities as our best ambitious, rooted restaurants.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rooted

Adjective

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
Elliott matter-of-factly told the story about his name, as well the later discovery through 23andMe of his biological father’s likely identity and the confirmed existence of many half siblings, just by pushing a button.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of confirmed

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inveteracy

inveterate

invidious

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“Inveterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveterate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inveterate

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