Synonym Chooser

How is the word chronic distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words confirmed and inveterate are common synonyms of chronic. While all three words mean "firmly established," chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome.

a chronic complainer

When can confirmed be used instead of chronic?

The words confirmed and chronic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform.

a confirmed bachelor

When could inveterate be used to replace chronic?

While the synonyms inveterate and chronic are close in meaning, inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable.

an inveterate smoker

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 chronic The benefits of spring produce include lowering your risk of chronic conditions and supporting heart, skin, and brain health. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025 Despite the lack of budget details, Kennedy maintained that addressing the chronic health issues would save money in the long term. Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 22 May 2025 This danger could be especially serious for people dealing with any number of common respiratory troubles, including sinonasal disease, enlarged tonsils, hay fever, chronic rhinitis, or a deviated septum. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 May 2025 Last week Bryant underwent surgery to alleviate chronic back pain. Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
  • The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva displayed polished tannins, vibrant red fruit, and a graceful, persistent finish.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • There's a global 4B movement encouraging women to go celibate in protest against shrinking rights and persistent misogyny.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The streamer has greenlit a drama starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz and Stephen Graham that tracks the face-off between a homicide detective and a serial killer.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • The song will serve as the opening theme song for Smoke, a series about a detective and an arson investigator in pursuit of a pair of serial arsonists.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Murrill’s office also invoked the habitual offenders statute, where criminal defendants can be tagged as habitual offenders after a fourth felony charge, according to Louisiana law, and face longer prison sentences.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
  • But when use becomes habitual or driven by pressure, the effects can take a toll.
    Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • An inveterate traveler who had explored 60-plus countries and often incorporated historical art and cultural references into her designs, McFadden died in September at the age of 85.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
  • My wife and younger son, however, are inveterate puzzle solvers.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Health routines like regular exercise, mindfulness and meal planning can teach discipline and focus.
    Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • And yet, for many, that's a price worth paying to have Central Park in your backyard, the Met as your local museum, and Broadway-caliber talent for regular entertainment.
    Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Those heartbreaking moments led to the slow and steady decline that started in the 2000s.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • Keeping your magnesium intake steady through diet and supplements can help offset caffeine's impact.
    Health, Health, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.
    Nate Rogers, Vulture, 22 May 2025
  • United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The daughters say this was also around the time that their mother ended up on the street and became addicted to meth.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • There is apathy, a force of inertia that keeps us addicted to cell phones, social media and things devoted to our pleasures.
    Jim Martin, Denver Post, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chronic

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