congenital

adjective

kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl How to pronounce congenital (audio)
Definition of congenitalnext
as in chronic
being such from birth or by nature a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word congenital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of congenital are hereditary, inborn, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur
eye color is hereditary

When can inborn be used instead of congenital?

While the synonyms inborn and congenital are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When could inbred be used to replace congenital?

Although the words inbred and congenital have much in common, inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

When is innate a more appropriate choice than congenital?

The words innate and congenital can be used in similar contexts, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

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 congenital But rates of congenital malformations and low birth weights — the two leading causes of infant death in the US — both ticked up. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024 Smith, 101, died Feb. 11 of congenital heart failure at her Lincoln Park home, said her daughter, Julia. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025 Theme Director of Stem Cell Medicine Professor Enzo Porrello discusses how stem cells could be key in treating heart disease in children and what could cause congenital heart disease. —Dr. Marc Siegel Fox News, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024 Those infections in newborns, called congenital syphilis, kill dozens of babies each year and can lead to devastating health effects in others. —Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for congenital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congenital
  1. chronic
  2. born
  3. natural
  4. hereditary
Adjective
  • Konstantopoulos has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a chronic condition that affects connective tissues and makes injuries more frequent and severe.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • May Improve Blood Sugar Control High blood sugar levels can contribute to many chronic health issues.
    — Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD, Health, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of chronic
Adjective
  • Shaw has said he was reborn after the shooting and years later would become a born-again Christian.
    — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 9 June 2019
  • In his mid-40s, Mr. Phillips had quietly become a born-again Christian after attending a Billy Graham rally.
    — James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 18 Jan. 2019
Definition of born
Adjective
  • Mitchell has nice speed and good hands, so his natural fit might be as a third-down back.
    — Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The style combines two hair headliners: First, the movement toward celebrating natural, mixed textures.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • Precautions: Because high-dose vitamin C may disrupt iron absorption, people with hereditary hemochromatosis should avoid it.
    — Brittany Lubeck, MS, RDN, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The newborn screening program for early identification of hereditary diseases, one of the most successful public health programs in United States, was introduced more than 60 years ago.
    — Dr. Bilal Hameed, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of hereditary

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congenital
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Cite this Entry

“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congenital. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of congenital for Spanish Speakers

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