Synonym Chooser

How is the word chronic distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words confirmed and inveterate are common synonyms of chronic. While all three words mean "firmly established," chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

When can confirmed be used instead of chronic?

The words confirmed and chronic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

When could inveterate be used to replace chronic?

While the synonyms inveterate and chronic are close in meaning, inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

Examples 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 chronic Some research suggests fat tissue might pump out inflammatory chemicals, triggering the elevated baseline inflammation connected with many chronic conditions like cancer. Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025 This is particularly challenging for patients with chronic health conditions that require frequent lab work. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 That kind of extreme heat can weigh heavily on human health, causing increased rates of dehydration and heat stroke; exacerbating chronic health conditions, like respiratory disorders; impacting brain function; and, ultimately, leading to death. Jill Langlois, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025 High temperatures exacerbate chronic conditions like cardiovascular and kidney diseases, often leading to fatal outcomes. Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for chronic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
  • The persistent decline in China’s 10-year government bond yield — to record lows around 1.58% this month— prompted the People’s Bank of China on Jan. 10 to stop its government bond purchases .
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Interest rates and the overall investment climate The persistent elevation of interest rates has reshaped the investment landscape, forcing companies to rethink growth strategies over the past years.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the case of mourning doves, Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Board approved a hunt in 2000 after 30 years of debate and serial rejection of the idea.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Hall will return as America’s favorite fictional serial killer, Dexter Morgan, alongside David Zayas as Angel Batista, Jack Alcott as Harrison Morgan, and James Remar as Harry Morgan.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Research published in 2022 in found that by embracing vulnerability, couples can break away from unhelpful and habitual patterns of interaction.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Officials said he was charged as a habitual fourth offender and given a $500,000 cash-only bond.
    Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • An inveterate bus rider of the old No. 6, Eldridge believed in public transportation.
    Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Even diplomats of Iran and North Korea, two of America’s most inveterate foes, can reside in New York city as a result of this unique host status of our country.
    Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • During the regular season, Detroit and Washington ranked second and third, respectively, in giving themselves the biggest edge on fourth downs in a formula devised by The Athletic’s Austin Mock.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
  • McManus made 20-of-21 field goals during the regular season and brought stability to a position that saw Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson fail miserably since the start of the 2023 season.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Fast-forward six weeks, after a steady climb to the No. 2 ranking entering the final week of the regular season, and the narrative quickly turned on coach Ryan Day’s team after archrival Michigan edged Ohio State for the fourth straight year.
    Lauren Merola, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Average long-haul rates out of the East Coast have remained steady.
    Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • David, a former college baseball player, had become addicted to painkillers after returning home to Leavenworth.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The point is that AI is right now considered addicted to data (not in any sentient manner).
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near chronic

Cite this Entry

“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chronic

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