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 of perennial in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web Sharon Anderson, a perennial candidate for public office who frequently sues public officials, has run for a political seat — from governor to city council to U.S. President — almost annually since 1970, never winning a general election. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2024 During this time, Wilson's late mother Rosemary looked after a perennial garden which was beloved by the local community, something the president of the development company knew about and actually used as a selling point of the area. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 Recently the star and perennial heartthrob used that special sauce to help rescue S.W.A.T., the CBS police procedural he’s led since 2017, from extinction. Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 The New York Yankees were his model, the perennial big spenders. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perennial 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
Adjective
  • The exquisitely lush show breathes new life into one of the most enduring love stories in recent history.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
  • These five themes reflect broad skills required of directors for deeper and more enduring governance effectiveness: 1.
    John M. Bremen, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The incident was declared under control at 1:04 p.m. Fire officials advised residents and travelers to avoid the area between Foothill Boulevard and East 19th Street along 24th Avenue due to ongoing emergency response operations.
    Ryan Macasero, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Mustang Bio's pipeline focuses on CAR T therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, with ongoing collaborations with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and City of Hope.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Carlson had been raised Episcopalian but basically secular, encouraged to talk about the weather rather than his immortal soul.
    Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
  • After all, having 200,000 immortal or self-replicating monkeys working consistently until the end of the universe is just as infeasible as having infinite time to begin with.
    Michael Irving, New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • In one of the pictures shared to social media, eagle-eyed viewers can spot a replica of the magic potion Streep and Goldie Hawn’s characters drink in a bid for eternal youth in the fantasy-comedy film.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Keep the thrills coming with Jessica Guess’s Cirque Berserk, which stars four teens who make an annual sacrifice to the queen of the underworld in exchange for eternal youth.
    Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • With her big inward eyes and perpetual glower, Northam effectively conveys Elsa’s restless, blinkered life.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Although Apophis was defeated each night, he could never be permanently destroyed, symbolizing the perpetual struggle between order and chaos.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • What’s your advice for staying in the game so long and continuing adventures late into life?
    Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2024
  • Inflation wasn’t such a clear and continuing danger, and a lot of investors were caught offside.
    Bob Pisani, CNBC, 31 July 2024
Adjective
  • Yet many observers have been puzzled by the absence of any practical Israeli plan for ending the conflict, particularly one that might lead to a lasting political settlement.
    Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
  • As the evening unfolds, guests can dance the night away with music and cocktails, creating lasting memories for the happy couple, their friends, and family.
    Lopesan Costa Bavaro Contributor, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

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