habit 1 of 2

1
2
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs a cocaine habit of long standing

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in physique
the type of body that a person has an imposing man of vigorous habit

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

habit

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun habit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of habit are custom, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is it sensible to use custom instead of habit?

Although the words custom and habit have much in common, 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

In what contexts can practice take the place of habit?

In some situations, the words practice and habit are roughly equivalent. However, practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When could usage be used to replace habit?

While the synonyms usage and habit are close in meaning, 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

When can wont be used instead of habit?

The synonyms wont and habit are sometimes interchangeable, but wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 habit
Noun
But like action heroes, researchers have a habit of accepting seemingly impossible missions and finding creative ways to make progress. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025 One possible explanation for this is that people who consume light or moderate amounts of alcohol may have other habits that can explain their good health, such as a good a healthy diet and regular exercise. Allison Aubrey, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025 Gauff, who made the U.S. Open girls final at 13 and won her first match on Centre Court against Venus Williams at 15, has a habit of arriving ahead of schedule. Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 12 Jan. 2025 As far back as the 1920s, researchers had recorded the smoking habits of people who developed lung cancer and compared them to cancer-free people. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for habit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit
Noun
  • The Catholic faithful across the country could now participate in the American ritual of cheering for their football team on Saturday, while also attending the global ritual of Mass on Sunday.
    Hunter M. Hampton / Made by History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
  • For many, the serene communal ritual of arriving at the casket’s resting place in the Rotunda offered a respite, if only for a few moments, from the anxiety of a complicated national moment, or the press of everyday concerns — or both.
    Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Nicholas Meyer’s novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, which imagined Sigmund Freud treating Holmes for his addiction to cocaine.
    Alec Nevala-Lee, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • If nothing else, this eighth installment will offer yet another chance to see Cruise nearly obliterate his aging but somehow ageless physique performing some insanely dangerous new stunt — a morbid spectacle that, like his famous mug, never grows old.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The Flight Risk actor, 52, showed off his fit physique on Instagram in the early-morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 26, after celebrating Christmas with his family the previous day.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • By the time Post Malone came on stage and knocked out his high-energy, crowd-pleasing set while clad in a Luke Combs T-shirt and cutoff jorts, the air was dry and cool.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The interior, clad with carbon-fiber extras, has the seats and dashboard both swathed in dark-brown leather.
    Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • These practices can admittedly destroy some of the oil’s naturally beneficial components, too, including antioxidants like polyphenols, and introduce very low levels of some unsupportive compounds, such as trans-fatty acids, Dr. Mozaffarian says.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The vibes have changed, Christie has significantly lessened the physical strain of the practice schedule and the offense is less reliant on X’s and O’s and more on players using their instincts.
    Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This Rodeo wallet from Carhartt features a longer, rectangular shape in Carhartt’s rugged leather and provides plenty of compartments for organizing checks, business cards, receipts, cash and cards.
    Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • There is always the human form on the one hand, and lines and shapes on the other.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Californians typically toss more than 1 million metric tons of textiles each year — that’s more pounds of clothing than the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge, plus the 55,000 cars that cross it each day.
    Lewis Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Best Winter Apparel Deals Arguably the most important item to pack for your snow getaway is clothing.
    Erica Paige, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Many were senior citizens and dressed in red, yellow and blue, answering Machado’s call to wear the colors of the Venezuelan flag.
    Regina Garcia Cano and Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
  • When superstar singer Taylor Swift arrived at last year’s Wild Card game between the Chiefs and Dolphins, she was dressed for the bitter cold while also showing support for boyfriend Travis Kelce.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near habit

Cite this Entry

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on habit

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