wonted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wonted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wonted are accustomed, customary, habitual, and usual. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

How is accustomed related to other words for wonted?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

In what contexts can customary take the place of wonted?

The meanings of customary and wonted largely overlap; however, customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

Where would habitual be a reasonable alternative to wonted?

While in some cases nearly identical to wonted, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When could usual be used to replace wonted?

Although the words usual and wonted have much in common, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

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 wonted His wonted improvisations and other departures from the script did not suggest his usual ease. Matthew Walther, TheWeek, 13 Mar. 2020 Egypt chose a different path, preferring to return to the wonted pain of dysfunctional autocracy and avoid civil war (although civil war seems even still to be creeping up on the Egyptians out of Sinai and Libya). Kenneth M. Pollack, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wonted
Adjective
  • For example, the fires in New Jersey this week have been part of trend: So far in 2025, New Jersey has experienced nearly twice as many wildfires as usual.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Rosemary Oil Shampoo Add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo and wash your hair as usual.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His dad’s customary reticence meant Specktor had work to do.
    Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The deal is expected to close in the third quarter pending customary approvals.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So refreshing to see out of ordinary kitchen design.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Oliver is closer to ordinary than dominant on a game-by-game basis, while DeWayne Carter was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The conventional non-AI approach is the classic client-therapist relationship.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Seeing the color Olo needed specific stimulation to push the vision beyond its normal limits.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Such intimidation may be normal in Putin's Russia, not in the civilized world!
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Female astronauts have become commonplace enough that the fact that the crew is composed entirely of women doesn’t immediately cause a sensation.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Tory Burch chose color-blocking as the preferred mode of expression and took commonplace pieces to new heights (a sequined swimsuit was the talk of the town after the label’s runway presentation).
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In a typical spring, apply the herbicide in early to mid-April.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Some might offer better support than others or have a more natural resting spot for thumbs, but to greater or lesser extents, a good mouse is sculpted to fit the arch of the typical human hand.
    Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The characteristic rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Once well enough to speak to Congress the next month, a thinner and wan Reagan acknowledged the thunderous applause from both parties in the chamber and then put everyone at ease with a characteristic anecdote.
    Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wonted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wonted. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wonted

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