practice 1 of 2

variants also practise

practice

2 of 2

verb

variants also practise
as in to exercise
to do over and over so as to become skilled in order to play the guitar well, you need to practice fingering every single day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun practice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of practice are custom, habit, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When is it sensible to use custom instead of practice?

The words custom and practice can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can habit be used instead of practice?

In some situations, the words habit and practice are roughly equivalent. However, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When could usage be used to replace practice?

Although the words usage and practice have much in common, 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 is wont a more appropriate choice than practice?

While the synonyms wont and practice are close in meaning, 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 practice
Noun
Now, she’s made the practice even more accessible with her book, also called Black Girls Breathing. Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 13 Jan. 2025 Though the state has long relied on prison labor to fight fires, the practice is controversial as the inmates are paid little for dangerous and difficult work. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
Leaders who practice reflective listening can create environments where innovation thrives and people feel valued. Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025 The Rams and Chargers are scheduled to play playoff games this weekend, and both teams practiced outdoors Thursday. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for practice 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practice
Noun
  • Soderbergh watched playback of each rehearsal to ensure the movements felt authentic to the scene and to his character of the ghost, who reacts to the events in specific ways, like hiding behind clothing in Chloe’s closet and floating up and down the stairs in search of the family members.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
  • This festival will be the culmination of a weekend of rehearsals, lectures, and worship at the Village Church.
    Del Mar Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Use this transit to reassess your priorities — think about the long-term effects of your spending habits, and don’t be afraid to lean on a friend for advice.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Another headwind was changing viewing habits, with the types of spectator open to French productions increasingly consuming these works on platforms.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Williamson downplayed how much extra attention he’s put into his hamstrings over the past few months, but the slight alterations in his routine were already showing Tuesday night.
    William Guillory, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Knight’s current life revolves around the daily routine of Liberty Correctional Institution, a state prison roughly 40 miles west of Tallahassee.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Other sleep-promoting tips include exercising during the day, avoiding caffeine after noon, and limiting blue light exposure from TV, computer, or phone screens in the evening.
    Cathy Habas, SELF, 17 Jan. 2025
  • His contract guarantees $7 million in 2025, and again each of the next two years if the Braves exercise their club options. 4.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But in the downtown criminal courthouse, the absence of defendants derailed proceedings in several cases, including at least one murder trial slated to begin closing arguments Friday.
    Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Nauta and De Oliveira argued a limited release to lawmakers could still prejudice any eventual trial against them.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The soft paint color has a spa-like effect while the beadboard brings in a subtle linear pattern and an extra layer of visual interest.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
  • At a court hearing in April, prosecutors argued Vo had already demonstrated a pattern of defiance against the court system.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson was called up to the women’s senior national team for the first time Tuesday and will join club teammate Alyssa Thompson for a weeklong training camp in Carson next week.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Twenty-four players have been selected for the training camp, which will take place Jan. 14-21 in Carson, California, running concurrently with the USWNT’s training camp.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
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

Thesaurus Entries Near practice

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on practice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!