1
as in usual
accepted, used, or practiced by most people
the customary response to the greeting "How are you?" is "Fine, thanks"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation
the customary toasting of the bride and groom at their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 customary
Of equal importance to Goldsworthy was the existence in Scotland of a customary right to roam.
—
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In curling, a rink is a team of four players, as is customary).
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The transaction is expected to close later in 2026, pending customary approvals.
—Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026
Compounding the cold weather, the royal did not fail to wear her customary snowsuit, as did the rest of the team, complementing it with a white fur hat.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for customary
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In curling, a rink is a team of four players, as is customary).
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The transaction is expected to close later in 2026, pending customary approvals.
—Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026
Compounding the cold weather, the royal did not fail to wear her customary snowsuit, as did the rest of the team, complementing it with a white fur hat.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for customary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for customary
Adjective
-
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Amadou Onana’s usual whipping up of the crowd comes after every Aston Villa win.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Size-up to wear it as a layering piece, or stick with your usual size to wear it solo on milder days.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Athletes from seven different countries, including Japan, rank among the top 10 in the current women’s World Cup standings compared to just the traditional four for men.—
Dana ONeil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike traditional ransomware groups, ShinyHunters no longer focuses on encrypting systems.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her friends, meanwhile, attend a conventional in-person high school.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To transmit more power, there are two ways – either a larger hose (thicker cables and higher current) or higher pressure (higher voltage).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The new store will create 17 additional jobs and will relocate 12 current employees to the new location.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/customary. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
