Thesaurus results for PRACTICE

Q: How does the noun 'practice' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of practice are custom , habit , usage , and wont . While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice. // our practice is to honor all major credit cards

Q: When is it sensible to use 'custom' instead of 'practice'?

The words custom and practice can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When can 'habit' be used instead of 'practice'?

In some situations, the words habit and practice are roughly equivalent. However, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively. // had a habit of tapping his fingers

Q: When could 'usage' be used to replace 'practice'?

Although the words usage and practice have much in common, 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

Q: When is 'wont' a more appropriate choice than 'practice'?

While the synonyms wont and practice are close in meaning, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group. // as was her wont , she slept until noon

practice 1 of 2

noun

variants also practise

Definition of practice next

as in rehearsal

a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance we held one last practice before the big concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in ritual

a usual manner of behaving or doing the store's practice has always been to honor all major credit cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in exercise

something done over and over in order to develop skill practice makes perfect

Synonyms & Similar Words

practice

2 of 2

verb

ˈprak-təs

variants also practise

as in to exercise

to do over and over so as to become skilled in order to play the guitar well, you need to practice fingering every single day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun practice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of practice are custom, habit, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When is it sensible to use custom instead of practice?

The words custom and practice can be used in similar contexts, but 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 practice?

In some situations, the words habit and practice are roughly equivalent. However, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When could usage be used to replace practice?

Although the words usage and practice have much in common, 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 is wont a more appropriate choice than practice?

While the synonyms wont and practice are close in meaning, 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 practice

Noun

But Kemp argues that only a fresh face unrooted in politics can defeat Ossoff, one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats on paper but one of the party’s most formidable incumbents in practice. —

Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026 Canales explained the advantages of participating in such practices prior to the preseason games, and why repeating the exercise with the Texans was a good call. —

Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026

Verb

Due to the high temps expected Tuesday through Wednesday, the Healey administration was urging residents and visitors to plan ahead and practice extreme heat safety. —

Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 And that’s just investment, practicing. —

Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for practice

Recent Examples of Synonyms for practice

Noun

After completing the rehearsal, ground crews removed the rocket from the launch pad to install hardware for the vehicle’s flight termination system.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Wearing a smart suit jacket during rehearsal, Sandomir is very much the character of Tony.

— Amy Reyes May 14, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026

Definition of rehearsal

Browse Nearby Words

practically

practice

practiced

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Practice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practice. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of practice

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on practice

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cordial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions

Games & Quizzes