habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈha-bət-ˌfȯr-miŋ 
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming drug
Examples of habit-forming in a Sentence
warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming
Recent Examples on the Web
Antidepressants can cause flu-like withdrawal symptoms, but the medications are not habit-forming, mental health experts say.
—
Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Feb. 2025
For the rest of the day, she’s freed from the compulsive, habit-forming pull of digital screens.
—Raj Goyle, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
That could be through habit-forming actions to help improve your daily movement, or by achieving your weight loss goals.
—Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
For example, users may feel incentivized to log in daily, complete challenges, or reach milestones to unlock rewards, creating a habit-forming loop that strengthens their connection to the app.
—Lakshmi S., Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Voting is habit-forming, and high schools are critical for starting that pattern.
—Pooja Salhotra, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
From heat-and-eat Factor meals and vegan Purple Carrot offerings to Noom's good habit-forming plans, these offers can help make your life a little easier and healthier!
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
According to Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies, voting is habit-forming.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
This time frame aligns with findings that TikTok videos, usually lasting only a few seconds, can quickly become habit-forming, leading to excessive screen time and impacting essential activities such as sleep, education, and personal relationships.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
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Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Feb. 2025
For the rest of the day, she’s freed from the compulsive, habit-forming pull of digital screens.
—Raj Goyle, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
That could be through habit-forming actions to help improve your daily movement, or by achieving your weight loss goals.
—Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
For example, users may feel incentivized to log in daily, complete challenges, or reach milestones to unlock rewards, creating a habit-forming loop that strengthens their connection to the app.
—Lakshmi S., Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Voting is habit-forming, and high schools are critical for starting that pattern.
—Pooja Salhotra, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
From heat-and-eat Factor meals and vegan Purple Carrot offerings to Noom's good habit-forming plans, these offers can help make your life a little easier and healthier!
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
According to Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies, voting is habit-forming.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
This time frame aligns with findings that TikTok videos, usually lasting only a few seconds, can quickly become habit-forming, leading to excessive screen time and impacting essential activities such as sleep, education, and personal relationships.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Habit-forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habit-forming. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming prescription painkiller
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