continually

adverb

con·​tin·​u·​al·​ly kən-ˈtin-yü-ə-lē 

-yə-lē

: in a continual manner : without stopping or interruption

a security system that runs continually

We had endured a series of dark, gloomy, winter days, during which the sun had been continually hidden behind dense, rain clouds.

—George Thatcher

… I was too thoroughly swept away by this richly imagined and continually surprising novel to be concerned with cute comparisons.

—Edan Lepucki

They bickered continually, ignoring me as I worked around them.

—Paula Fox

: in a constantly repeated manner : over and over

being interrupted continually

She would write. I would read and edit, and sometimes shift the wordings, or change phrases or delete things. We would continually refine what was written.

—Herbie Hancock

Synonyms

• again and again
• constantly
• frequently
• hourly
• much
• oft
• often
• oftentimes
• ofttimes
• over and over
• repeatedly

Examples of continually in a Sentence

grew up in a time when children were continually being told to mind their manners

the computer program continually updates the file with new information

Recent Examples on the Web

Friedland underscores this by continually situating Ruth within large groups, filmed in stationary long shots by the cinematographer Gabe C. Elder. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 June 2025

The researchers continually work on developing the full potential of the EHT network and exploring even higher-frequency capabilities — such as 345 GHz — that can further complement multiband observations. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 19 June 2025

In his work now, Axtell recommends executives hire services that continually review any online personal information about them, their families and their home addresses. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025

As Gramm and Boudreaux write toward book’s end, poverty in the U.S. is continually being redefined in ways that support their contention that capitalism isn’t the enemy of the poor. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contynuely, from continuel continual + -ly -ly entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above