as in dependences
a physiological need for certain drugs
an addiction to heroin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of addictions
Some scientists think that the medications may even help with behavioral addictions, such as gambling and compulsive shopping.
—
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Every day, Dan obeyed his own addictions, killing pain with packs of cigarettes and Coors banquet beers.
—Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
There will also be educational, wellness and healthy living classes and other group events, in part meant to combat an overall rise in loneliness that has been blamed for worsening people’s mental health and addictions.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
What follows are some of their stories about the way gambling addictions prey on fandom, the convenience of online sportsbooks, and the masculine culture of competitiveness to corrupt the role of sports in their lives.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Proposition 47’s reduction in penalties for theft and drug offenses led to minimal consequences for repeat offenders, creating a lack of incentives to stop their criminal behavior or seek help for their addictions.
—Mike Hestrin, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Their own addictions to meth persisted for years, outlasting the lives of both their father and grandfather.
—Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
Some assume that addictions or mental health struggles lead to people being on the streets, says Randal Hitt, the vice president of unsheltered services at Roof Above.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
And my dad struggled with his addictions and focused on his career and himself, while my mom was at home, raising me.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Every day, Dan obeyed his own addictions, killing pain with packs of cigarettes and Coors banquet beers.
—Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
There will also be educational, wellness and healthy living classes and other group events, in part meant to combat an overall rise in loneliness that has been blamed for worsening people’s mental health and addictions.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
What follows are some of their stories about the way gambling addictions prey on fandom, the convenience of online sportsbooks, and the masculine culture of competitiveness to corrupt the role of sports in their lives.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Proposition 47’s reduction in penalties for theft and drug offenses led to minimal consequences for repeat offenders, creating a lack of incentives to stop their criminal behavior or seek help for their addictions.
—Mike Hestrin, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Their own addictions to meth persisted for years, outlasting the lives of both their father and grandfather.
—Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
Some assume that addictions or mental health struggles lead to people being on the streets, says Randal Hitt, the vice president of unsheltered services at Roof Above.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
And my dad struggled with his addictions and focused on his career and himself, while my mom was at home, raising me.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addictions
habits
Noun
-
As malls have closed because of shifting consumer shopping habits and a desire for more lucrative development opportunities, the expansive empty buildings have taken on a new draw as a kind of postapocalyptic wasteland, much to the chagrin of local officials.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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Osiecki lists various economic reasons for this emphasis on money habits, including rising housing costs, rising costs of everyday essentials like groceries and utilities, student loan and credit card debt.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Addictions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addictions. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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