practice 1 of 2

variants also practise

practice

2 of 2

verb

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
In both the public and private sector, diversity initiatives have covered a range of practices, from anti-discrimination training and conducting pay equity studies to making efforts to recruit more members of minority groups and women as employees. Gqlshare, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 The practice preceded and then coincided with the enslavement of more than 12 million Africans in the Americas, though its methods and visibility differed. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
For smaller slip-ups, like a friend arriving late to your birthday party or an aunt who accidentally cracked an insensitive comment about your body, both experts recommend getting into the habit of practicing empathy. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Feb. 2025 The Sharks met as a group before practicing Sunday to help digest the trade, which came two days after the Sharks were flattened 6-2 by the Seattle Kraken to fall to 15-33-6 on the season. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for practice 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practice
Noun
  • In the midst of the week’s rehearsals, Chalamet received his second Oscar nomination for his part as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Carmen insisted on three months of full-time rehearsals.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, several scenes are given over to her wacky habit of posting too much info on Facebook.
    Alissa Simon, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Reflection: The process of critically evaluating your behaviors, perspectives, habits and communication from previous actions to gain insights to adapt for future challenges.
    Tony Gambill, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • These small adjustments can complement your stretching routine and promote overall health and well-being.
    Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Adding self-care practices into your daily routine can obviously work wonders for your mood and mental health.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The scene also allows Howery to exercise his impeccable timing, nailing every syllable.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • That result helps Fagin decide how vigorously to exercise each day—or when to rest instead.
    Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The trial was seen as a landmark #MeToo case in France.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Lanier’s Raleigh firm has already filed a few cases using the window, none of which has reached the trial stage.
    Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Kate isn’t the only one wearing pinstripes — Nicole Kidman also wore the fancy pattern back in December.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Additional storms are possible next week for the eastern half of the country as the active pattern continues.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • He’s already been in Arizona, working out with the club’s staff and applying new biometric data to specialize his training ahead of his first season in the majors.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Former Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo pointed out that training air traffic controllers is both expensive and rigorous, with about a third of trainees washing out.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As part of this three-step ritual, Berry—and other scalp experts—recommend using a hair mask that can nourish the scalp and the strands.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The interview, which became a more formal part of the Super Bowl ritual during the Obama administration, has become less of a guarantee in recent years.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near practice

Cite this Entry

“Practice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practice. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on practice

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