CONGENITAL Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'congenital' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of congenital are hereditary , inborn , inbred , and innate . While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. // a congenital heart murmur // eye color is hereditary

Q: When can 'inborn' be used instead of 'congenital'?

While the synonyms inborn and congenital are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. // her inborn love of nature

Q: When could 'inbred' be used to replace 'congenital'?

Although the words inbred and congenital have much in common, inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. // inbred political loyalties

Q: When is 'innate' a more appropriate choice than 'congenital'?

The words innate and congenital can be used in similar contexts, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. // an innate sense of fair play

congenital

adjective

kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl

Definition of congenital next

as in chronic

being such from birth or by nature a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it

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How is the word congenital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of congenital are hereditary, inborn, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

When can inborn be used instead of congenital?

While the synonyms inborn and congenital are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When could inbred be used to replace congenital?

Although the words inbred and congenital have much in common, inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

When is innate a more appropriate choice than congenital?

The words innate and congenital can be used in similar contexts, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

Example 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 congenital In 2022, a post shared on his Instagram account informed fans he had been hospitalized after a cardiac incident and had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. —

Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026 Modeling predicts the change could result in 72,000 additional deaths from measles and congenital rubella syndrome, according to the Gavi board’s records. —

Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026 An autopsy found that Jordan died from bioprosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis — an infection at the site of the new valve — and complications of congenital heart disease. —

Emily Brindley health Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026 The 29-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday to discuss undergoing surgery for a congenital heart defect. —

Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congenital

Recent Examples of Synonyms for congenital

Adjective

Peak said mold illness, which includes chronic conditions related to the toxins and bacterium found in mold, is more widespread than mold poisoning, where people might experience severe reactions like blindness.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Roughly 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States, most from chronic conditions that develop over time.

— Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of chronic

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congenially

congenital

congenitally

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“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congenital. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of congenital

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