Synonym Chooser

How is the word habitual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of habitual are accustomed, customary, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for habitual?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When can customary be used instead of habitual?

The meanings of customary and habitual largely overlap; however, 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

When would usual be a good substitute for habitual?

In some situations, the words usual and habitual are roughly equivalent. However, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

In what contexts can wonted take the place of habitual?

Although the words wonted and habitual have much in common, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

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 habitual Despite the upbeat, fighting talk, the talk session rounded off with a succession of audience questions which variously asked how Hong Kong martial arts could be saved, promoted or taught. Hung, returning to his habitual ebullient mode, had no doubt. Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024 He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison — not for the murders, but for his habitual car-thieving. Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Musk’s habit of making and sharing false claims to underscore his support for Trump — who for most of his political career has also pushed false claims of voting fraud conspiracies — is habitual. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024 Trump is a habitual liar who has a habit of saying whatever comes to mind. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 29 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for habitual 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habitual
Adjective
  • Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental illness affecting how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The Kyiv Independent reported Tuesday that Ukraine's chronic manpower shortage is a main factor in local retreats and collapses in its defense lines that mean quicker Russian gains across the front.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • More frequent and damaging hail storms and wind events have resulted in more home and auto claims in Colorado, a state that ranks second in the country for hail risk.
    Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • This has resulted in flash droughts becoming more frequent worldwide.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, paid on July 31, 2024.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Early Wednesday, investors were already betting that Trump’s win will also be a win for Musk’s major public holding, Tesla (TSLA), sending shares of his electric vehicle maker up an immediate 13% at the market open, and closing regular trading up nearly 15%.
    CNN.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The company remains subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • America has periodic eruptions of political unrest, Ellis argued, but none has come close to a civil war.
    Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Proposition 36 would restore enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and would allow felony charges if repeated shoplifting resulted in $950 in losses over multiple thefts.
    The Editors, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024
  • Michaels began appearing on camera as himself, making repeated pleas for the Beatles to reunite on the show for a whopping $3,000.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near habitual

Cite this Entry

“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habitual. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on habitual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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