accustomed 1 of 2

accustomed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of accustom

Synonym Chooser

How is the word accustomed distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of accustomed are customary, habitual, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When would customary be a good substitute for accustomed?

While the synonyms customary and accustomed are close in meaning, 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

In what contexts can habitual take the place of accustomed?

The words habitual and accustomed can be used in similar contexts, but habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When could usual be used to replace accustomed?

The words usual and accustomed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than accustomed?

The synonyms wonted and accustomed are sometimes interchangeable, 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 accustomed
Adjective
But many Salt Lake City residents weren’t accustomed to seeing Black people in their neighborhoods, or working with them side-by-side at their place of employment. Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Those accustomed to the TOR network will be familiar with the technology behind these double VPN servers. PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Chiefs fans have been accustomed to the team making halftime adjustments and seeing improvement in the second half from the defense. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 And one of these, for those of us accustomed to British conventions but who follow the game in continental Europe, is the simple passage of time. Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accustomed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accustomed
Adjective
  • Consumers also saw higher prices for new and used cars, clothing and air fares in August.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Prices for both new and used vehicles held steady in August, while demand hit multi-year highs.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 2025 Ford Explorer midsize SUV introduced new features, and lost a couple less popular ones, when the when the three-row family hauler hit dealerships in July 2024.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • And, finally, last but likely not least, Joey Cantillo broke into the big leagues last summer and officially introduced himself on Tuesday night.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Each participant was educated on how to follow a ketogenic diet consisting of fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day, combined with higher fat and moderate protein intake.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sharon Olds was born in San Francisco and educated at Stanford University and Columbia University.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Their boys were well acquainted with the Bananas from social media and had acquired Bananas gear long before the game.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Here’s an artist who, across a two-decade period, has become intimately acquainted with the entertainment industry’s countless mutations, finally abiding by his own rules.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Accustomed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accustomed. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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