adj

institutionalized

adj

Made into an accepted, official part of a system or organization.

"The bad habits had become institutionalized over decades."

Placed in a care facility, such as a hospital or prison.

"He was institutionalized for several years after the breakdown."

So used to living in an institution that a person can no longer cope well outside of it.

"Long-term inmates sometimes become institutionalized and struggle to adjust to freedom."

How to Use Institutionalized

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "built permanently into a system," or "confined to / dependent on a care/correctional facility."

Common pairings

institutionalized discrimination become institutionalized

more institutionalized comparative, most institutionalized superlative

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The bad habits had become _____ over decades.

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