CONTINUOUS Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

continuous

adjective

kən-ˈtin-yü-əs

Definition of continuous next

as in continual

going on and on without any interruptions a city that has been under continuous bombardment for three days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples 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 If any part of a player’s foot hits out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of taking a step (heel-toe or toe-heel) then the foot is out of bounds. —

Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025 And the water systems used to fight the Palisades and Eaton fires couldn't maintain the continuous high water pressures needed, meaning water stopped flowing in some hydrants. —

Julia Simon, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025 Michael Wara, a Stanford University energy and climate law professor who was appointed to a state commission on wildfires, said the philosophy of California’s utility regulators is one of pushing companies toward continuous improvement. —

Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 Quality coordinator Most common skills: quality assurance, internal audits, continuous improvement Top location hiring: Greater Perth Area Median years of prior experience: 4.2 10. —

Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for continuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous

Adjective

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
For example, municipal and fire prevention agencies must give property owners advance — and continual — warnings to clear dead vegetation and to wet dry brush within 10 feet of the house with periodic, prolonged sprinklings.

Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025