Every practice synonym fits only some senses of the word: training (rehearsal, drill), a habit or custom (routine, tradition), a way of working (method, procedure), or the verb (rehearse, train). Pick the meaning first and the right word follows.
The plural matters too. A practices synonym in a business report is usually methods, procedures or policies, not rehearsals. Spelling note: American English uses practice for both noun and verb, while British English spells the verb practise. Related ideas live on the training synonyms and method synonyms pages.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
training, rehearsal, routine, method, rehearsePart of speech
Noun and verbMost formal
procedure, convention, implementationMost casual
work on, go over, brush up onAntonyms
theory, neglect, inexperienceWatch out
Habit is personal; practice can be shared by a whole group or industry.Word forms covered
practices, practiced, practicing, practise (UK verb)
Which practice synonym fits which meaning
| Meaning | Try | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Training for a skill | rehearsal, drill, exercise, workout | Band rehearsal starts at seven. |
| Usual way of doing things | custom, routine, tradition, convention | Tipping is a local custom. |
| Doing rather than planning | application, action, execution | The idea failed in its execution. |
| A doctor's or lawyer's business | firm, office, clinic | She joined a small law firm. |
| Verb: improve by repeating | rehearse, drill, hone, work on | He hones his serve every morning. |
| Verb: follow a belief or job | observe, follow, pursue | They observe the holiday quietly. |
How much effort each verb suggests
The verb swaps above climb from a quick review to serious work. Go over is light: going over your notes before class. Run through means doing it once from start to finish. Rehearse belongs to plays, music and speeches. Drill means repeating something many times until it is automatic. Train suggests a longer program, often with a coach.
Hone and polish sit outside this ladder: they mean refining a skill you already have.
Practices: plural swaps for business and research
In plural form the word usually means methods or habits shared by a group. Swap with methods, procedures, policies, customs or conventions.
- Farming practices become farming methods.
- Unfair hiring practices become unfair hiring policies.
- Cultural practices become customs or traditions.
- Best practices become proven methods, standards or guidelines.
The phrase best practices is overused in corporate writing. Proven methods or clear standards often say the same thing more directly. See also process synonyms.
Old line, new line: practice replaced
- Soccer practice was canceled becomes soccer training was canceled.
- It is common practice to knock first becomes it is customary to knock first.
- Practice the speech tonight becomes rehearse the speech tonight.
- She practices medicine in Ohio becomes she works as a doctor in Ohio.
- Put the plan into practice becomes put the plan into action.
- I need to practice my French becomes I need to brush up on my French.
A message to a coach: "Can we practice penalties again Friday?" becomes "Can we drill penalties again Friday?" Drill tells the coach you want repetition, not a full game.
Practiced and practicing
As an adjective, practiced means skilled through experience: a practiced speaker is an experienced, seasoned or polished speaker. Practicing before a job title means currently working in it: a practicing nurse is an active or working nurse. With faith, a practicing believer is an observant or devout one.
Easy mix-ups
- Habit is one person's pattern, often unconscious. Practice is usually deliberate or shared.
- Exercise works for training drills but can suggest physical fitness only.
- Tradition implies long history; a new office rule is not yet a tradition.
- Experience is the result of practice, not the act itself.
Describing an approach rather than a routine? The technique synonyms page helps.
Opposites and contrasts
The classic contrast is theory: it works in theory but not in practice. For lack of training, use inexperience. For skills left unused, neglect or disuse. The verb's opposites are ignore or abandon: he abandoned the piano after a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is practice a noun or a verb?
Both in American English. British English uses practice for the noun and practise for the verb.
Which practices synonym suits a formal report?
Procedures, methods and policies are standard. Customs and conventions suit social or cultural topics.
Can I use rehearse instead of practice?
Yes for performances, speeches and conversations you plan to have. For sports or math problems, train or drill fits better.
What does common practice mean?
It means something most people in a field usually do. Swap with standard procedure, the norm or customary.
How does practice contrast with theory?
Theory is the idea; practice is doing it in real life. Writers often pair them: sound in theory, hard in practice.
Is there a polished verb for sharpening a skill?
Hone and refine sound polished. They suggest you already have the skill and are making it sharper.