eter·nal
i-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
a
: having infinite duration : everlasting
eternal damnation
b
: of or relating to eternity
c
: characterized by abiding fellowship with God
good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?—
Mark 10:17 (Revised Standard Version)
Mark 10:17 (Revised Standard Version)2
a
: continued without intermission : perpetual
an eternal flame
b
: seemingly endless
eternal delays
3
archaic
: infernal
some eternal villain … devised this slander—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare4
: valid or existing at all times : timeless
eternal verities
1
capitalized
: god sense 1
—used with the
2
: something eternal
Synonyms
Examples of eternal in a Sentence
Adjective
the eternal flames of hell
in search of eternal wisdom
When will his eternal whining stop?
Noun
spent much time pondering the nature of the Eternal
Recent Examples on the WebSkyler Trepel, Peoplemag, 2 June 2024
Perhaps the eternal optimism of Ted Lasso had its effect.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2024
Ligaya Mishan Melody Melamed, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2022
But anyone capable of transcending the eternal now of the news cycle and recalling the debates of a decade ago might hear echoes in the Lemoine story of quite another dispute about personhood and language.
—Sasha Frere-Jones, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for eternal 
Adjective
Poehler is perhaps best known for her role as eternal optimist Leslie Knope — the Deputy Director of the outdoorsy government department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Ind. — on Parks and Recreation from 2009 to 2015.
—Skyler Trepel, Peoplemag, 2 June 2024
Perhaps the eternal optimism of Ted Lasso had its effect.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2024
Noun
Its charms are straightforward, appealing to the eternal giggly adolescent in all of us.
—Ligaya Mishan Melody Melamed, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2022
But anyone capable of transcending the eternal now of the news cycle and recalling the debates of a decade ago might hear echoes in the Lemoine story of quite another dispute about personhood and language.
—Sasha Frere-Jones, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for eternal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eternal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near eternal
Cite this Entry
“Eternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eternal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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