How is a tendency or practice that is hard to give up defined?

A tendency or practice that is hard to give up is defined as a habit. Habits are behaviors that are repeated regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. They often develop through consistent repetition, and over time, they become ingrained in a person's routine, making them challenging to break.

In contrast to instincts, which are innate behaviors, habits are learned and can be modified with conscious effort. Patterns refer to recurring themes or trends, which may not necessarily imply difficulty in cessation. Routines, while involving repeated actions, are typically more structured and can be changed more easily than habits, which often imply a deeper level of automaticity in behavior. Thus, defining this tendency as a habit captures the essence of the challenge in letting go of established behaviors.