habit-forming
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Causing or characterized by addiction: Describes a substance, activity, or behavior that can lead to a compulsive physiological or psychological need, making it difficult to stop.
Usage
- The adjective "habit-forming" is used to describe things that have the potential to create a dependency. It is typically placed before a noun or used after a linking verb like "is" or "seems."
- It often carries a negative connotation, warning of potential risks.
Examples
- Before a noun:
- Doctors warn that some painkillers can be habit-forming.
- Social media platforms are designed to be habit-forming.
- After a linking verb:
- The game was so habit-forming that he played for hours every day.
- Be careful; this behavior can become habit-forming.
Advanced Usage
- "Prove to be habit-forming": To be discovered or shown to cause addiction.
- The new medication proved to be highly habit-forming in clinical trials.
- "Potentially habit-forming": Having the possibility, but not the certainty, of causing addiction.
- The label clearly states the drug is potentially habit-forming.
Variants and Related Words
- Addictive (adj): A more common synonym with the same core meaning.
- Nicotine is an addictive substance.
- Habit-forming is itself a compound adjective. Related nouns include:
- Habit (n): A settled or regular tendency or practice.
- Addiction (n): The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity.
Synonyms
- Addictive: Causing a strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something.
- Compulsive: Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge.
- Enslaving (figurative): Having a power that controls someone completely.
Antonyms
- Non-addictive: Not causing addiction.
- Harmless: Not able or likely to cause harm or dependency.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "A slippery slope": While not a direct idiom for "habit-forming," this phrase is often used in similar contexts to warn that a seemingly minor habit can lead to serious addiction.
- They say casual gambling is a slippery slope; it starts as fun but can be habit-forming.
Adjective
- causing or characterized by addiction
- addictive drugs
- addictive behavior