continuous 1 of 2

Definition of continuousnext

continuousness

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word continuous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of continuous are constant, continual, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can constant take the place of continuous?

The words constant and continuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When would continual be a good substitute for continuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to continuous, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When could incessant be used to replace continuous?

While the synonyms incessant and continuous are close in meaning, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continuous?

The meanings of perennial and continuous largely overlap; however, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When might perpetual be a better fit than continuous?

In some situations, the words perpetual and continuous are roughly equivalent. However, perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of continuous
Adjective
According to Xiaomi, the hand’s compact motors can generate significant heat during continuous operation. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026 In an era of near continuous cruelty by the administration, the imprisonment of the boy and his father attracted massive media and political attention and eventually saw both released on February 1. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026 Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP A core part of Russia’s information campaign is that a Ukrainian defeat is somehow inevitable because Moscow has a continuous battlefield momentum, said Christopher Tuck, an expert in conflict and security at King’s College London. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026 Lemay approached the project by covering the trench with a gently inclined floating plane, creating an accessible, continuous surface across the site. New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
Adjective
  • Far from discouraging us, Frank’s passing reminds us that the history of architecture is one of continual renewal.
    Norman Foster, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Ouroboros-like, Erdrich is in continual, self-devouring motion and thus presents a kind of constancy of transmutation — identity itself becomes a variable in the endless calculation of renewal.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This lack of strategic continuity is confusing, even for the players.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Marketers and agency partners rotate, while APR remains, providing continuity and historical context.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Officials said Kuwait’s electricity and water systems remain stable and contingency plans had been activated to ensure continued supply, according to the statement.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Furthermore, this is also signaling continued progress toward maturing hybrid propulsion technologies for tactical use, the South China Morning Post reports.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • TourProdEnter, investigators suggest, may represent the continuation of that model—on a larger and more opaque scale.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • According to Avylo, the product is a continuation of the philosophy of the company to construct an invisible infrastructure of healthier indoor living as opposed to single appliances.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Officials said overnight enforcement will focus on common and continuing offenses such as commercial vehicles parked in residential areas and permit violations.
    Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025
  • State of the labor market Initial weekly unemployment insurance claims have held in a fairly steady range around 220,000, though continuing claims earlier in November had hit their highest level in about three years.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Because the case will be decided by Cook County Judge Carl Boyd instead of a jury, the trial is not subject to the same time pressures and may have long continuances.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • As the clock ticks toward the start of the 2026 regular season, Bubic needed only a few minutes to remind everyone that his 2025 All-Star campaign wasn’t a fluke … but the continuance of his march to stardom.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Creed Creed’s debut was anchored by pyro, prayer and nonstop singalongs.
    Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Any chance to ignore the real world and immerse ourselves into a fantasy world, even one with nonstop gambling ads, is most welcome.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Amundsen’s work is in keeping with the rest of the show, which fills two halls at the liberal arts school with visual and multimedia works that probe the persistence of radioactive materials.
    Chloe Shrager, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The lessons that endure are about constraint and invention, messiness and coordination, contradiction and persistence—about intervening directly and fearlessly in material reality.
    Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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