-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈha-bət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming drug
Examples of habit-forming in a Sentence
warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming
Recent Examples on the Web
For the rest of the day, she’s freed from the compulsive, habit-forming pull of digital screens.
—Raj Goyle, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
That could be through habit-forming actions to help improve your daily movement, or by achieving your weight loss goals.
—Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
For example, users may feel incentivized to log in daily, complete challenges, or reach milestones to unlock rewards, creating a habit-forming loop that strengthens their connection to the app.
—Lakshmi S., Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Voting is habit-forming, and high schools are critical for starting that pattern.
—Pooja Salhotra, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
From heat-and-eat Factor meals and vegan Purple Carrot offerings to Noom's good habit-forming plans, these offers can help make your life a little easier and healthier!
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
According to Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies, voting is habit-forming.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
This time frame aligns with findings that TikTok videos, usually lasting only a few seconds, can quickly become habit-forming, leading to excessive screen time and impacting essential activities such as sleep, education, and personal relationships.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
These drugs are known to be habit-forming when used for too long or at too high of a dose.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Sep. 2024
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1913, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near habit-forming
Cite this Entry
“Habit-forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habit-forming. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: causing an addiction
a habit-forming drug
Medical Definition
habit-forming
adjective
hab·it-form·ing
ˈhab-ət-ˌfȯr-miŋ
: inducing the formation of an addiction
a habit-forming prescription painkiller
More from Merriam-Webster on habit-forming
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share