custom 1 of 2

noun

ˈkə-stəm How to pronounce custom (audio)
Definition of customnext
1
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing it is my custom to have half a bagel and coffee for breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in tradition
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing the custom around here is that the bride's family pays for the wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in business
transactions or economic support provided by customers that restaurant certainly lost my custom after they were cited for health code violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

custom

2 of 2

adjective

as in customized
made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer that business tycoon wears only custom suits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun custom differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of custom are habit, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," 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 custom?

Although the words habit and custom have much in common, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is practice a more appropriate choice than custom?

In some situations, the words practice and custom 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

Where would usage be a reasonable alternative to custom?

The synonyms usage and custom are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

In what contexts can wont take the place of custom?

The words wont and custom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 custom
Noun
Select one of the dates and times or enter a custom one. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025 Among the brands that will be rolling out custom integrations include Google, Domino’s, Ford, Coors Light and Burger King, the latter of which is bowing a new musical highlight package during Sunday’s broadcast of Game 2. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
Pixar drops a big hint The galactic themed indoor launched roller coasters will send riders on an exploratory mission into the uncharted Lego Galaxy in custom Lego spacecraft, according to the backstory for the ride. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025 Accenture is currently training 30,000 employees on NVIDIA’s AI software platform and developing a new business division focused on custom AI solutions. —Olga Lykova, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custom
  1. ritual
  2. tradition
  3. business
  4. habit
  5. rule
  6. patronage
  7. tailored
  8. practice
Noun
  • When your workday ends, physically close your laptop, turn off work notifications and transition into personal time with intentional rituals.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Different communities worship different icons and have different ways of performing the rituals.
    — Foster Klug, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • The World’s Top Tequila Don Nacho Tributo Reposado Tequila is crafted by the Hernandez Gutierrez family in Jalisco’s Los Altos region, paying homage to the rich traditions of Jalisco’s Highlands.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Quintel added a silver lining: while short programs and incubators may be on pause, the mentoring tradition is alive.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 10 June 2025
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Cicely has spent the last 20+ years at the intersection of business and politics, leading government affairs, communications, legal, policy, and regulatory teams at the federal, state, local, and international levels of government.
    — Cicely Simpson, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Not only did Biles rebuke Gaines for saying biological males have no business participating in women’s sports, but Biles also took some personal cheap shots at Gaines.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2025
Definition of business
Noun
  • He is used to mowing his lawn shirtless and in shorts – especially on hotter days – but recently, what seemed like a harmless habit sparked unexpected drama with his neighbors across the street.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Students leave with answers, but more importantly, with the habit of questioning their own choices and understanding the consequences.
    — Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • Though this deal brings some uniformity to the rules, states still have separate laws regarding how NIL can be doled out, which could lead to legal challenges.
    — Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025
  • Supporters say the new rules are necessary to keep California on track for its climate goals.
    — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Both brands depend on the patronage of affluent consumers.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Representatives from both Save the Children and Riding for the Disabled — Anne's most longstanding patronages — were in attendance at the forum.
    — Greta Bjornson, People.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of patronage
Adjective
  • Interiors nod to the tailored, heritage-rich style of Ralph Lauren—antique wood furnishings, vintage rugs, and rich textures throughout—while large windows, original artwork by regional artists, and warm lighting give each space a modern, welcoming feel.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • This year’s event was a fusion of tailored fashion for men from brands like Joseph Auren and Love For Upcycling and bold garment applications from David Tupaz, Sugarpuss, and Henri Costa.
    — Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of tailored
Noun
  • This procedure, known as plasma exchange therapy, has become a trendy practice in certain circles, like Silicon Valley executives and extreme biohackers.
    — Jamie Ducharme, Health, 6 June 2025
  • All are fodder for her intricate textile works, a parallel practice to her floral-design studio.
    — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
Definition of practice

Browse Nearby Words

custody
custom
customarily
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custom. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on custom

Nglish: Translation of custom for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about custom

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All