habit 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-bət How to pronounce habit (audio)
Definition of habitnext
1
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing it was his habit to rise early

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs a cocaine habit of long standing

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in physique
the type of body that a person has an imposing man of vigorous habit

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in clothes
archaic covering for the human body dressed in the habit of a knight from the golden age of chivalry

Synonyms & Similar Words

habit

2 of 2

verb

as in to clothe
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes his exclusive clothing store had habited the town's upper crust for as long as anyone could remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun habit differ from other similar words?

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

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is it sensible to use custom instead of habit?

Although the words custom and habit have much in common, 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

In what contexts can practice take the place of habit?

In some situations, the words practice and habit 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

When could usage be used to replace habit?

While the synonyms usage and habit are close in meaning, 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

When can wont be used instead of habit?

The synonyms wont and habit are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 habit
Noun
Even participants who continued healthy eating and exercise habits after stopping medication experienced weight gain. —ABC News, 23 July 2025 Italian longevity expert’s 4 daily habits for a long, healthy life 1. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 July 2025 Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who specializes in digital forensics, said government communication habits need to change. —arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025 After all, everyone has their own unique space, items, routines, and habits. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for habit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for habit
  1. ritual
  2. addiction
  3. physique
  4. clothe
  5. practice
  6. shape
  7. clothing
  8. dress
Noun
  • The church has made fewer modifications than in other denominations to ancient Christian rituals or doctrines, the diocese wrote.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Additionally, Oshun Griot offers healing rituals, including meditations, yoga, and affirmations rooted in cultural traditions, as well as real-life stories from individuals of color navigating their fertility journeys, and helpful yoga videos.
    — Dominique Fluker, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Lovejoy had taken in Couture to assist with his substance addiction.
    — Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
  • By green-lighting mass institutionalization and criminalizing poverty, addiction and mental illness, Trump is dusting off the fascist playbook.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Definition of addiction
Noun
  • On the basis of his physique and his looks, he was signed in 1954 by Universal and given bit parts while attending acting classes there.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 July 2025
  • For his part, Baron Cohen transformed his physique as evidenced by the cover of Men’s Fitness UK.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Definition of physique
Verb
  • Before laying their own floral tributes, the family – clad in black — held up peace signs to the cheering crowd of fans, with Sharon being supported by Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39.
    — Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • These goods include unmounted or unset diamonds, precious metal jewelry and jewelry clad with precious metal − such as pieces plated with gold or silver.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Definition of clothe
Noun
  • The act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, prohibited discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disqualified many African Americans from voting in the post-Civil War era South.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 24 July 2025
  • Iron Mountain has identified several key information management practices that every organization should implement to drive superior AI outcomes.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of practice
Noun
  • Because the shape was incomplete, the alert was sent out to all of Warren County, and some of Montgomery County, Centerville and Middletown.
    — The Enquirer, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • Vitreous humor — the clear, gel-like substance that fills the space behind the lens of the eye and supports the shape of the rear portion of the eye.
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Definition of shape
Noun
  • If your liquid detergent does expire, use it for one of its many uses outside of keeping clothing clean, like mopping floors and tidying toys.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
  • Remove jewelry and tight clothing: Remove jewelry or tight clothing near the bite site.
    — Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • Demi Lovato dresses the cool girl part while grabbing a frozen treat in Los Angeles on July 30.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Temitope Fagbenle — Golden State Valkyries Here comes the bride, all dressed in white, but her courthouse or church might just be getting replaced with hardwood.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of dress

Browse Nearby Words

habilitating
habit
habitable
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Cite this Entry

“Habit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/habit. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on habit

Nglish: Translation of habit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about habit

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