PERMANENT Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

permanent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpər-mə-nənt

Definition of permanent next

as in eternal

lasting forever a temporary compromise has been accepted until a more permanent solution can be agreed upon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

permanent

2 of 2

noun

as in perm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 permanent

Adjective

The Trump administration appears geared to argue that a specific clause within the 14th Amendment excludes the children of parents who aren't authorized permanent residents from citizenship. —

Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025 Current deputy planning director Monica Holmes will take over as interim director for Craig during a search for a permanent replacement, the city’s statement said. —

Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025

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

Here's everything to know about the movie's final moments, including the fate of Adaline's eternal youth condition.

— Jordana Comiter, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
In our current culture wars, the left gets accused of playing loose with language that is supposedly eternal and universal, distorting the meaning of words in order to suit its ideology.

— Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2025