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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of perpetual are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perennial. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

When is constant a more appropriate choice than perpetual?

The words constant and perpetual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When can continual be used instead of perpetual?

While the synonyms continual and perpetual are close in meaning, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When would continuous be a good substitute for perpetual?

While in some cases nearly identical to perpetual, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can incessant take the place of perpetual?

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

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is it sensible to use perennial instead of perpetual?

The synonyms perennial and perpetual are sometimes interchangeable, but perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

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 perpetual In the perpetual tug-of-war between California state government and the counties, the state has to set standards and provide support like data collection, and at least some funding, if the counties are to exercise the independence and creativity that is expected of them. Robert Greene, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025 For a musical, and a musical within a musical, that gives lip service to her cultural value, Smash The Musical treats Monroe as a perpetual punchline. Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 That’s how desperate Jason is to cling to his happy place — although the next 24 hours could prove traumatic enough to finally snap him out of his perpetual adolescence. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025 What about perpetual favorite Will Poulter, as Officer in Charge Erik? Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perpetual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
Adjective
  • Microsoft exemplifies this approach through continuous investment in global data centers, quantum computing research, and advanced cloud architecture—even when Wall Street analysts pressured for higher short-term returns.
    Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Asawa is best known for creating a continuous form within a form, but there are a variety of bulbs, gourd-like shapes and spirals.
    Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His first significant trip outside Rome as pontiff was to the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, a key site in Europe's ongoing migration crisis.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Today, a new genre of writing—one that records the ongoing crisis—feels more useful than my old standbys.
    Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The eternal language of euphemism—swords and lightning—had begun its work, displacing the reality of bullets breaking bodies.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • It’s not designed to disrupt trends but remain a ‘classic’ outside of them with some eternal rock ‘n’ roll edge.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Short wars are fought with whatever resources are available at the time; long wars require the development of capabilities that are geared to changing operational imperatives, as demonstrated by the continual transformation of drone warfare in Ukraine.
    Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With continual breaking headlines about romance scams and serial catfishers, people are becoming more cautious online, calling for better security and authenticity guardrails.
    Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One of Mac's costars, the late A.J. Johnson, remembered his enduring sense of humor fondly.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Archidamus’s next suggestion—form alliances to constrain the enemy’s options—has been similarly enduring.
    A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Its most beautiful and bracing imagery is that of cotton fields plumbed by sharecroppers, endless skies and dusty roads, the verdant expanse of a land that has witnessed so much sorrow.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • While there are endless examples of stimming behavior, they can be categorized into one of five sensory experiences.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eyal’s optimism is backed by checks by his firm that indicated continued strength in demand, with CYBR’s effort to expand its platform away from its core privileged access management gaining traction among customers.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • But legal experts say the Administration’s continued refusal to comply fully with the courts suggests a broader erosion of constitutional norms.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is where the immortal pumps, kitten heels, and even boho wooden platforms come into play.
    Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Much later, in perhaps the movie’s most immortal scene, Darcy helps Elizabeth into a carriage by holding her ungloved hand.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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