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permanent

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective permanent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of permanent are durable, lasting, and stable. While all these words mean "enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established," permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

When is it sensible to use durable instead of permanent?

Although the words durable and permanent have much in common, durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

When would lasting be a good substitute for permanent?

The words lasting and permanent can be used in similar contexts, but lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

When is stable a more appropriate choice than permanent?

The meanings of stable and permanent largely overlap; however, stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

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 permanent
Adjective
Despite the Sunshine Protection Act being unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in 2022, there is no permanent end in sight. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024 And now, 10 years later, the Raptors make the honor permanent: a beautiful banner with Carter’s number and the iconic photo of his through-the-legs dunk at the 2000 All-Star Dunk Contest. Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
If hotness is an effort to make the ephemeral permanent, then illness is a constant reminder of how nothing is forever. Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, 26 June 2021 The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is working on making three Slow Streets closed to through traffic during the pandemic permanent: Page, Shotwell and Sanchez streets. Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Feb. 2021 See all Example Sentences for permanent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permanent
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
Noun
  • Visually, it is defined by sequined dresses and star Blake Lively’s gigantic crimson perm.
    Coleman Spilde, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024
  • Watch her already-hilarious SNL promo above, and then check out 21 vintage photos that prove Jean Smart has always been the coolest, hottest woman alive (in a way that not even the pervasive perm trend of the 1980s could damage): WATCH Sydney Sweeney Has a Spare Wig in Her Miu Miu Bag.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 28 Sep. 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
Noun
  • Everybody had a new car and a conk.
    New York Times, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2021
  • The spectral and the barely discernible devotions become manifest as Holy Ghost, though also borne in Malcolm X’s stance and the Godfather of Soul’s conk.
    Saidiya Hartman, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • Otherwise, you’ll likely be inundated with an endless stream of texts from the family group chat and notifications from social-media platforms.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
  • What to expect today After months of polls, speculation, political ads and seemingly endless barnstorming of Michigan, Election Day 2024 has finally arrived.
    Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In addition to the outfit, Gad committed to the bit with a wig styled like Miller’s signature haircut and a bold lip, plus what appeared to be fake breasts.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The internet fell in love with his dapper short haircut, and this matching outfit with Zendaya is only further cementing his fashion icon status.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 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
Noun
  • The actor admits to Vogue that one of Mancuso's wigs inspired her own current hairstyle.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Her favorite hairstyle: Whatever hair suits your face shape.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 31 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near permanent

Cite this Entry

“Permanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permanent. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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