Definition of chronicnext

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 Many of the underlying causes — including substance use, domestic violence, mental illness, chronic stress, poverty and social interaction — are often intertwined. Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 Pain relief and treatment Surgery, while needed in some cases, is no longer the only treatment for chronic hemorrhoids. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 Auburn police reported no complaints tied to the city’s entertainment zone and a sharp drop in chronic homelessness in 2025, according to a report presented to the City Council on Monday. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Asthma is a chronic condition that inflames the airways and can make breathing difficult. Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chronic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chronic
Adjective
  • The symptoms of leukemia can vary based on the type of disease, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, signs can include bone pain or tenderness, fever or chills, persistent fatigue and weakness, and easy bleeding and bruising.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Asian economies are proving resilient in the face of the energy shock sparked by the Iran war, though analysts warn of higher and persistent inflation.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The briefing came days after Tierney secured a guilty plea from another Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann, who is expected to be sentenced in June after admitting to torturing and killing eight women.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Tierney said the remains were found along the same stretch of parkway as serial killer victims Waterman and Taylor.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Court records show he was charged with being an armed habitual criminal and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • If the urge is habitual or problematic, certain changes in behavior can help bring it under control.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even Dougie, an inveterate screwup, isn’t without hidden depths—and Anthony, a natural hype man for whoever’s around, takes his plea for emotional support seriously, quickly becoming invested in a twisty succession crisis.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Also, the industry essence of the French TV festival is co-production and Canadian producers are inveterate co-producers.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Ben Clemens at FanGraphs measured the change, relative to the 2025 regular season, and found that the zone has shrunk at the top of the zone and on the edges of the plate.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Despite his pectoral injury, Kancey battled back last season to play in the regular-season finale at Carolina.
    Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Then last June, the Nuggets snatched Wallace back from Minnesota, hiring him as their new co-general manager alongside his friend Ben Tenzer — another longtime Connelly disciple who’d been a steady hand behind the scenes in Denver’s front office since 2013.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • That drives pocket-protector wearing water engineers a little crazy, because steady outcomes are what these men and women live for.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Jared Speight is a stubborn titan of Long Island abstraction when star writer Roxy Margaux first becomes infatuated with his bravado.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
  • For concrete or tile, a mild cleaner helps remove the stubborn pollen film that builds up over spring months.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • There is active litigation against sports betting companies over allegedly causing consumers to become addicted and lose money.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • More than 300,000 people have died from opioid prescription drug overdoses and millions more became addicted.
    Craig R. McCoy, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Chronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chronic. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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