Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of continual are constant, continuous, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

In what contexts can constant take the place of continual?

While in some cases nearly identical to continual, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When could continuous be used to replace continual?

The meanings of continuous and continual largely overlap; however, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

When might incessant be a better fit than continual?

The words incessant and continual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continual?

Although the words perennial and continual have much in common, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When is it sensible to use perpetual instead of continual?

The synonyms perpetual and continual are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 continual This dual nature of AI generates a continual arms race in which the rate of innovation on both sides constantly raises the stakes. Rohan Pinto, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Prolonged desk work can lead to musculoskeletal problems ranging from continual pain to injuries. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 If doing a continual clearout sounds like a slog, consider taking a page out of Dr. Detwiler’s book and writing the expiration date in big, bold letters somewhere on the packaging to act as a memory aid. Caroline Tien, SELF, 16 Jan. 2025 Hospitals must advocate for partners that offer more than just basic support—the partner must be committed to continual improvement and customization. Chandler Barron, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for continual 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continual
Adjective
  • Throughout his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump faced continuous criticism for his frequent golf trips.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • With Soderbergh operating the camera in continuous takes to create the perspective of the spirit, Sullivan admits that the unconventional camera setup put him through his paces at first.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • More often, the broad sweep of history serves as recurrent inspiration for designers, such as Italian Renaissance paintings for Maria Grazia Chiuri at Christian Dior, Medieval tapestries for Dries van Noten, or 18th-century delicacies evoked by John Galliano and Christian Louboutin.
    Lisa Klaassen and Serene Nourrisson, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Its recurrent vanity is that its heroes stood alone.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • According to a pricing culture analysis, the extended forecast for Orlando shows continued rain chances with a high of 51°F, low of 48°F, with a 70 percent chance of rain on Wednesday and a high of 52°F, with a 50 percent chance of precipitation on Thursday.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders—including the public—will be critical to avoiding skepticism and ensuring continued support.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Anxiety about pocketbook issues, however, formed a recurring and persistent theme.
    David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024
  • The company has bolstered its software and securities business to diversify and bring in more recurring subscription revenue.
    Ari Levy, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • What’s your advice for staying in the game so long and continuing adventures late into life?
    Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The goal is to make the car a platform with with periodic improvements in autonomy, infotainment and customer experience features, similar to a smart-phone model but with a safety focus, critical for cars moving at high speeds in cluttered environments.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The man said that Laura has grown increasingly frustrated with the periodic disruptions caused by Ella's biological mother.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The advertisements become incessant and impossible to avoid, while the betting companies do nothing to prevent people from spiralling out of control.
    Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • First come flashbacks, then an incessant ringing in his ear.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The airport continues to expand its connectivity with several new nonstop destinations announced for late 2024 and early 2025, according to the release.
    Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • TikTok's seemingly nonstop legal limbo has sown widespread confusion among users over when and if the app will indeed stop working one day.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near continual

Cite this Entry

“Continual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continual. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on continual

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