WONT Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'wont' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wont are custom , habit , practice , and usage . While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group. // as was her wont , she slept until noon

Q: When could 'custom' be used to replace 'wont'?

The words custom and wont are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law. // the custom of wearing black at funerals

Q: When might 'habit' be a better fit than 'wont'?

While the synonyms habit and wont are close in meaning, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively. // had a habit of tapping his fingers

Q: Where would 'practice' be a reasonable alternative to 'wont'?

The synonyms practice and wont are sometimes interchangeable, but practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice. // our practice is to honor all major credit cards

Q: When would 'usage' be a good substitute for 'wont'?

Although the words usage and wont have much in common, usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm. // western-style dress is now common usage in international business

wont 1 of 3

adjective

ˈwȯnt

Definition of wont

as in used

being in the habit or custom she paced about the room, as she is wont to do whenever she is agitated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wont

2 of 3

noun

as in habit

a usual manner of behaving or doing he got up early, as is his wont

Synonyms & Similar Words

wont

3 of 3

verb

as in to initiate

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wont differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wont are custom, habit, practice, and usage. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

When could custom be used to replace wont?

The words custom and wont are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

the custom of wearing black at funerals

When might habit be a better fit than wont?

While the synonyms habit and wont are close in meaning, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

Where would practice be a reasonable alternative to wont?

The synonyms practice and wont are sometimes interchangeable, but practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When would usage be a good substitute for wont?

Although the words usage and wont have much in common, usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

western-style dress is now common usage in international business

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wont

Adjective

The new facility will allow scientists and engineers to analyze used fuel cores, comparing real-world performance data with predictions from advanced design and testing processes.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
One of the cheapest paths to an EV that can run 250 to 300 miles or more in a single charge is a used Tesla.

— Tim Levin, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Definition of used

Noun

Saturn stations retrograde in your 12th House of Solitude, asking you to review rest, avoidance, private fears, and the habits that either restore you or keep you quietly overloaded.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
For Thurnell-Read, what makes Gen Z’s drinking habits distinct from other generations is the pressure young people feel to succeed and spend their free time more productively.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of habit

Verb

Even after watching replays, the ref stuck with his original call that Mbappe had initiated the contact, which was palpable nonsense.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Barclays initiates Forte Biosciences as overweight Barclays says shares of the biotech company are compelling.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Definition of initiate

Adjective

Joshua's tune-up fight will put him front and center, which is a spot he's become accustomed to occupying.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
While Arraez is accustomed to the madness of the deadline, this trade season will be the latest new experience for manager Tony Vitello.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Definition of accustomed

Verb

Before Monday’s maneuver, the Russian ship informed HMS Tyne – a British patrol vessel – of its intention to conduct live-fire activity, CNN understands.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Both discoveries informed her choices for many of the principal cast and background actors.

— Sophia Panych, Allure, 20 July 2026

Definition of inform

Noun

The entire industry has struggled to converge in the way credit-rating agencies generally do.

— Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
But the way the Panthers had their depth chart set up — signing Walker as well as tackle Stone Forsyth in free agency — playing immediately didn’t necessarily have to be in the cards for Freeling.

— Alex Zietlow July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Definition of way

Verb

Comics- and fan-oriented programming, films, workshops, game tournaments and other events fill nearly two dozen rooms round the clock.

— Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Lessons on human resources being more company-oriented than human is another pearl of wisdom from Reddy, who clearly has a knack for corporate culture.

— David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Definition of orient

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.

Browse Nearby Words

won (over)

wont

wonted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wont.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wont. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wont

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on wont

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

parochial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes