chronic

[kron-ik] / ˈkrɒn ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

incessant, never-ending

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constant continual continuing continuous deep-rooted deep-seated habitual incurable lifelong lingering persistent protracted recurrent recurring sustained

WEAK

abiding ceaseless confirmed enduring ever-present fixed inborn inbred ineradicable ingrained inveterate lasting long-lived long-standing obstinate perennial persisting prolonged rooted routine settled stubborn tenacious unabating unmitigated unyielding usual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ceasing ending halting inconstant infrequent intermittent interrupted occasional stopping temporary

WEAK

curable eradicable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And what felt worst was that I was working on a book about my other chronic illnesses.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

For my peers battling acne, eczema or chronic sensitivity, most of the remedies didn’t seem to work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Kennedy did not discuss his vaccine agenda, instead focusing on "ending the era of federal policies that fuelled the chronic disease epidemic" in the US.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Several factors appear to drive this decline, including accumulated cellular damage, changes in gene activity, chronic low-level inflammation, and shifts in the bone marrow environment.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

If we can rid ourselves of some of our chronic, degenerative diseases, and cancer, strokes, and coronaries, we might go on and on.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing chronic

List 2

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It's About Time: Chron and Temp

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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"

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