Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of perennial are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When could constant be used to replace perennial?

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

lived in constant pain

Where would continual be a reasonable alternative to perennial?

Although the words continual and perennial have much in common, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When would continuous be a good substitute for perennial?

The words continuous and perennial can be used in similar contexts, but continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can incessant take the place of perennial?

In some situations, the words incessant and perennial are roughly equivalent. However, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When can perpetual be used instead of perennial?

The words perpetual and perennial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 perennial Additionally, the full extent of hybridization events – particularly between perennial species – needs further investigation. Andre A. Naranjo, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025 If Seattle finally reaches the World Series this season, maybe there’s hope for such perennial also-rans as the Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and Los Angeles Angels, who lost a club-record 99 times last summer under first-year manager Ron Washington. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 This perennial grass has a tropical or bamboo-like appearance. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025 His leadership was instrumental in transforming the Clippers from perennial underachievers into legitimate contenders. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for perennial 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
Adjective
  • That argument has had an enduring impact on moral philosophy and economics to this day.
    Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Television How Edie Falco Made Carmela Soprano Matter Matthew Eng Carmela remains Falco’s most enduring on-screen alter ego, the crystallization of her mysterious genius.
    hazlitt.net, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Context The Palisades and Eaton fires, which have been ongoing since January 7, are two of the worst blazes in Los Angeles County history.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In an ongoing investigation, The Star has exposed the toll fentanyl has taken on the Kansas City region.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • My Octopus Teacher Year: 2020 Run Time: 85 minutes Directors: Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed An Oscar-winning documentary that poses the immortal question: Does this man want to … sleep with an octopus?
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
  • On a night where the Intuit Dome crowd was cheering almost everything, the immortal Hulk Hogan was booed out of the building.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The trend has even extended to the world of unscripted TV: Where The Bachelor franchise was designed around watching young hot people look for eternal love, ABC has recently had success with a senior-citizen edition, The Golden Bachelor, while Netflix has its own senior dating show, Later Daters.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
  • There’s no real way to spin that Skeleton Crew is simply not a meaningful hit for Disney, and despite its quality, seems unlikely to get a second season despite positive reviews from both critics, and even jaded fans, thanks to the eternal viewership vs. cost problem.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Be that the perpetual hack attack facing Google users, malicious Chrome extensions, or they Rockstar bypass kit impacting Microsoft users.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • An environment where officials face a constant threat of removal from office, which can distract them from the hard work of governing, leads to a perpetual campaign mode that isn’t healthy for democracy.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
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
  • This convergence and accessibility were key to its immediate and lasting impact.
    Geoff Ira, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Vice President Kamala Harris honored former President Jimmy Carter's long legacy and lasting impact in a eulogy on Tuesday, Jan. 7, only two months after earning his vote in the 2024 presidential election.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

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