Definition of usualnext
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usual

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of usual are accustomed, customary, habitual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

How is accustomed related to other words for usual?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

In what contexts can customary take the place of usual?

The words customary and usual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could habitual be used to replace usual?

Although the words habitual and usual have much in common, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than usual?

The words wonted and usual can be used in similar contexts, but 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 usual
Adjective
All three were considered go-to contributors for the relief unit — Estévez is Kansas City’s usual closer. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026 Alvarez took over Miami’s full-time catcher duties on May 1 while usual starting catcher Alex Sosa has dealt with a lingering shoulder injury. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
Noun
Ebonē Colbert ordered her usual on her weekly trip to Wendy's with her son: a kid’s meal with a plain cheeseburger for him and a Dave’s Single, a burger topped with lettuce and tomato, for herself. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 On the first day back, Evans ordered his usual: a single cheeseburger, fries and a Coke. Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 See All Example Sentences for usual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usual
Adjective
  • Tucked into the misty highlands of Santa Cruz Island, far from the bustle of Puerto Ayora’s waterfront, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton feels less like a conventional Galápagos hotel and more like a secluded jungle retreat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The biggest of these is that trades of blockchain-base stocks can settle almost instantly, versus a conventional process that relies on Wall Street intermediaries that require a day or more to finalize a transaction.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • My vet rechecked it a week later, and her potassium is now normal, but her phosphorous is too high.
    Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • But at the State meet, officials alternated between sticking to the normal race schedule and running the 2 mile early in the meet and the mile later as had been the case in 1974 at the State meet in Bakersfield.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • The game’s results, which are automatically formatted to share with friends, have become a ubiquitous presence on social media platforms.
    Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
  • As for the mango angle, there will be at least 40 dishes and drinks inspired by the ubiquitous seasonal fruit, and a special mango exchange will take place all weekend at the bar, where guests can trade mangoes for a complimentary drink, while supplies last.
    Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Williams’ gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary was inspired by his interactions with his patients.
    René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
  • Like his perceptive doc about Joy Division, Everybody Digs Bill Evans is about the ordinary that feeds the extraordinary and leaves us to figure out the rest for ourselves.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Chinese government did not issue any public notices for pilots to avoid the rocket’s flight path, as is customary for space launches around the world.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
  • Hers is a customary voice of Christine; innocent and naive one moment, growing into supreme confidence the next.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The piña colada at the beachside bar and grill Coccoloba is a standout, but the real surprise lies in the creative drinks beyond the typical beachside cocktails.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The lightweight fabric and billowy, tiered silhouette of this dress keep it comfortable on summer days, and the square neckline gives you a little more coverage than a typical slip dress.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Shange describes the Bacchanal as familiar and minimal.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
  • Sources familiar with the situation, granted anonymity like all those consulted for this article to protect relationships, acknowledged there was consternation at the top at his behaviour and wondered whether Glasner’s position was becoming untenable.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, telehealth companies have not historically followed the same rules that drugmakers have in disclosing medication risks in advertisements.
    Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
  • Head coach Oliver Glasner has been the cause of a certain amount of friction too, but the same rules apply.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Usual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usual. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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