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
  • Belize is home to hundreds of caverns where Mayan priests once held rituals to petition the gods for rain or a successful harvest.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025
  • In this framework, Gottman outlines several key components that are necessary to create a healthy relationship, such as building shared meaning, nurturing fondness and admiration and creating rituals of connection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But behind those are people who suffer from nonfatal overdose, and behind those are the people who suffer from addiction.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 19 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
  • When they’re not clad in ski-gear and ensconced in protective helmets, Kendall has reached for outré furry R13 cowboy boots, bodycon by KHY, and Phoebe Philo outerwear.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Although Chalamet showing up to the London premier of A Complete Unknown on a Lime bike doesn’t come close to the effortless cool of Dylan jumping on his motorbike clad in leather, curly hair untamed and freewheeling up the highway to Newport.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The practice is controversial as the inmates are paid little for dangerous and difficult work: $10.24 each day, with more for 24-hour shifts, according to the corrections department.
    Marc Sternfield, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Next-gen companies are continuously seeking partners who embrace eco-friendly practices, such as energy-efficient data centers and carbon-neutral operations.
    To Quang Duy, Forbes, 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
  • The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that bitterly cold wind chills expected could result in hypothermia or frostbite and has advised people in the Capitol to wear appropriate clothing including multiple layers.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Outside of avocados and cars, some companies make clothing in Mexico, too.
    Melissa Repko,Gabrielle Fonrouge,Michael Wayland,Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Investigators say video surveillance showed a white Volkswagen sedan reverse parking near Northwest 14th Street and 8th Avenue in Florida City at 9:14 p.m. Two men dressed in dark clothing exited the vehicle and walked west toward the scene, according to Jackson’s arrest affidavit.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The video, which was posted on Nextdoor, shows a figure in a red mask with horns and dressed in all black clothing ring the front doorbell.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near habit

Cite this Entry

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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