wont 1 of 3

Definition of wontnext

wont

2 of 3

noun

wont

3 of 3

verb

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

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

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
  • Imagine having to read the handwriting of young people so used to typing on devices.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The senator introduced another bill that would require used police cars to be stripped of all markings and equipment before they are resold to the public.
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman told CBS News that the most effective way to reduce oil consumption is for people to change their driving habits — primarily by driving less — while acknowledging that engineering such a shift isn't easy.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Saline rinses at the first sign of congestion can prevent mouth breathing from hardening into habit.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Discussions have been initiated with the current fire service provider, the Lakes of the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force, which included a 96 percent increase over four years on top of the 160 percent increase the town made from 2023-2026.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
  • This came after the producers initiated the idea.
    Peter White, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • While women have grown accustomed to restrictive undergarments, comfort should be viewed as a fundamental part of daily health.
    Malana VanTyler March 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Aurora Central Catholic’s Olivia Lujano has grown accustomed to getting her way.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • If your complexion feels dry or irritated, any Illiyoon product or treatment will pretty much do the trick.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
  • To help break down how to apply mascara correctly, Gray shares her best methods and tricks.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • When Jobs returned to Apple after the first demo, he was crisply informed by Raskin that he’d been had — PARC had withheld from him most of its most innovative work.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bigby only missed one shot in the first half on her way to 17 points with two rebounds and an assist in only 14 minutes of action and was outscoring UC San Diego by herself for parts of the first half.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Lincoln, in the nicest possible way, is not where Spurs need to be going anytime soon.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Today, the original section of the house revolves around entertaining, with its minimal, almost monastic interior oriented around a 13-foot-long vintage table that draws guests together for intimate dinners.
    Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The idea is that cities should be designed so residents can orient themselves, understand their environment and feel a sense of agency within it.
    Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

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

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