HABIT Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

habit 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-bət

Definition of habit next

as in ritual

a usual manner of behaving or doing it was his habit to rise early

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in addiction

a physiological need for certain drugs a cocaine habit of long standing

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in physique

the type of body that a person has an imposing man of vigorous habit

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as in clothes

archaic covering for the human body dressed in the habit of a knight from the golden age of chivalry

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habit

2 of 2

verb

as in to clothe

to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes his exclusive clothing store had habited the town's upper crust for as long as anyone could remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Chronic pain is a major cause of disability, interferes with healthy habits such as exercise, and might even modestly shorten one’s lifespan. —

Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2024 Pluto’s close proximity to Venus adds a layer of transformation, challenging you to let go of outdated communication habits or ideas. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024 The study explored traits of founders with high resilience scores, uncovering habits that bolster both their performance andtheir mental health. —

Philip Salter, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Researchers tracked the habits of a group of wolves over one bloom season, and noted that individual wolves visited as many as 30 blooms at a time. —

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for habit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit

Noun

There are also classic pre-wedding rituals such as bachelor and bachelorette parties and a rehearsal dinner.

Marina Watts, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
The spookiest night of the year has evolved over centuries from an ancient pagan ritual to a season where children of all ages dress up in costumes and scare the bejeebers out of each other.

Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 28 Nov. 2024