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a continuous flow
a continual flow
a constant flow
a consistent flow
a perpetual flow
a steady flow
continuous monitoring
continual monitoring
constant monitoring
persistent monitoring
steady monitoring
uninterrupted monitoring
a continuous operation
an uninterrupted operation
a sustained operation
a steady operation
a nonstop operation
a constant operation
a continuous period
an uninterrupted period
a sustained period
an ongoing period
a continued period
a persistent period

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 But the momentum depends on continuous investment and global cooperation, currently jeopardized by shifting political priorities. Mario Jimenez, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2025 The wave that inspired this project is that of the Adriatic, characterized by a fluid, continuous motion shaped by the contours of the seabed. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025 Guitarist Angus Young, the only continuous member in the band’s 51 year history, co-wrote the songs with his brother Malcolm, who died in 2017. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025 The Garden Says… is not just an environment but an invitation—one that encourages return, exploration, and the continuous possibility of new meetings. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
Adjective
  • Short wars are fought with whatever resources are available at the time; long wars require the development of capabilities that are geared to changing operational imperatives, as demonstrated by the continual transformation of drone warfare in Ukraine.
    Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With continual breaking headlines about romance scams and serial catfishers, people are becoming more cautious online, calling for better security and authenticity guardrails.
    Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eyal’s optimism is backed by checks by his firm that indicated continued strength in demand, with CYBR’s effort to expand its platform away from its core privileged access management gaining traction among customers.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • But legal experts say the Administration’s continued refusal to comply fully with the courts suggests a broader erosion of constitutional norms.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
  • The nonstop route to Cancun will take Kansas City passengers to Cancun International Airport on Saturdays only from Dec. 20 through April 12, 2026.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Cape Town is now serviced by three nonstop flights from the U.S. Popular day trips from the city include seeing the bucolic wineries of Stellenbosch, the African penguin colony in Simon’s Town, and the Big Five at Aquila Game Reserve.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the air, those pings can interfere with cockpit radios, creating an incessant buzzing sound in pilots’ headsets—like a mosquito in your ear.
    Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Shoulder pads are in for fall 2025 and so are other details that read unabashedly, authentically bold instead of being chained to the incessant trend cycle.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The two-tool combo kit also includes a 350 CFM (cubic feet per minute) leaf blower, which offers 70 minutes of uninterrupted runtime, and can handle light projects like hard surfaces and dry leaves.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The battery is removable for easy charging, and users have the ability to purchase an additional battery for an even longer, uninterrupted cleaning period.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

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