chronic synonyms

chronic

modif.

inveterate, confirmed, settled, habitual, hardened, rooted, deep-seated, continuing, persistent, persisting, stubborn, uncured, incurable, lasting, unyielding, tenacious, enduring, lingering, deep-rooted, abiding, perennial, perpetual, constant, fixed, continual, incessant, long-standing, recurring, continuous, of long duration, long-lived, unabating, protracted, ceaseless, sustained, lifelong, prolonged, recurrent, periodic, intermittent, continued, obstinate, incorrigible, unceasing, inborn, inbred, ingrained, ever-present; see also habitual 1, permanent 2.

Antonyms acute, temporary*, casual.

chronic suggests long duration or frequent recurrence and is used especially of diseases or habits that resist all efforts to eradicate them chronic sinusitis; inveterate implies firm establishment as a result of continued indulgence over a long period of time an inveterate liar; confirmed suggests fixedness in some condition or practice, often from a deep-seated aversion to change a confirmed bachelor; hardened implies fixed tendencies and a callous indifference to emotional or moral considerations a hardened criminal

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.