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 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

There was no controversy about this New York win, a night after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball against the Yankees was ruled foul with the game tied.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Born and raised in Nogales, Mexico, the fourth of twelve children, Trujillo had deep community roots.

— Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of deep

Adjective

Several iterations of the idea have since taken shape, expanding to refugees, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors with chronic illness.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
The breach is the latest blow to a struggling small city that has faced years of severe budget deficits, pushing it to the brink of insolvency, as well as chronic understaffing in its police, fire and other municipal departments.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of chronic

Adjective

Quite often, the old pics are dated in their morals and arrive with inherent themes which are more baggage than their worth for the studio when trying to pull in a pluralistic audience.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
That experience helped Rhys recognize the inherent volatility of an actor’s career.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of inherent

Adjective

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
The even more hard-core version of the supercar would make its debut in 1995 and take the overall checkered flag at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 July 2026

Definition of hard-core

Adjective

This challenge layered on top of the very real barriers that chronically absent students face can make educators feel defeated and think that absenteeism is simply too big and entrenched of a problem for schools to meaningfully address.

— Jerome A. Graham, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
As Bell gets more entrenched into practice before the season, gaining familiarity with quarterback Malik Willis will be a key.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of entrenched

Adjective

With its towers and waterfront location, there are some similarities to this trip’s starting point, Toronto, but Vancouver is slower in pace and more rooted in its nature-rich setting.

— Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
These relationships are all rooted in banter and talking over each other, which can start to sound very same-y and homogeneous.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rooted

Adjective

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
The cards have relatively flexible cancellation terms and the ability to downgrade to a smaller aircraft on a confirmed basis.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of confirmed

Browse Nearby Words

inveteracy

inveterate

invidious

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Inveterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inveterate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of inveterate

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on inveterate

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes