Synonyms of inveterate

inveterate

adjective

in-ˈve-t(ə-)rət 

1

as in deep

firmly established over time

he has an inveterate tendency to tell some very tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deep
• lifelong
• inherent
• hard-core
• entrenched
• rooted
• confirmed
• deep-seated
• persistent
• chronic
• deep-rooted
• settled
• intrinsic
• persisting
• habitual
• bred-in-the-bone
• unalterable
• unchangeable
• fixed
• immutable
• natural
• innate
• inbred
• typical
• enduring
• hard-and-fast
• embedded
• usual
• inborn
• accustomed
• ingrained
• frozen
• abiding
• firm
• customary
• implanted
• regular
• integral
• inculcated
• set
• irradicable
• instilled
• hard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• transient
• temporary
• momentary
• brief
• short-term
• provisional
• interim
• ephemeral
• fleeting
• short-lived
• impermanent

2

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• occasional
• unused
• intermittent
• unaccustomed

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

Recent Examples of inveterate

The inveterate white supremacist Woodrow Wilson mouthed anti-colonial rhetoric before reverting to form at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026

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

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