continually

adverb

con·​tin·​u·​al·​ly kən-ˈtin-yü-ə-lē 

-yə-lē

: in a continual manner : without stopping or interruption

a security system that runs continually

We had endured a series of dark, gloomy, winter days, during which the sun had been continually hidden behind dense, rain clouds.

—George Thatcher

… I was too thoroughly swept away by this richly imagined and continually surprising novel to be concerned with cute comparisons.

—Edan Lepucki

They bickered continually, ignoring me as I worked around them.

—Paula Fox

: in a constantly repeated manner : over and over

being interrupted continually

She would write. I would read and edit, and sometimes shift the wordings, or change phrases or delete things. We would continually refine what was written.

—Herbie Hancock

Synonyms

• again and again
• constantly
• frequently
• hourly
• much
• oft
• often
• oftentimes
• ofttimes
• over and over
• repeatedly

Examples of continually in a Sentence

grew up in a time when children were continually being told to mind their manners

the computer program continually updates the file with new information

Recent Examples on the Web

This has resulted in a wave of lawsuits against the companies, including from other news outlets like The New York Times, arguing that the practice is unfair—and now, a continually growing wave of publishers choosing to cooperate with AI’s biggest players. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 20 Aug. 2024

The data also states that people are continually having to do away with certain necessities in order to have money for food, which includes 28% who sacrificed other needs like rent or bills to pay for groceries. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 16 Aug. 2024

Media reports and the language used to describe it have continually evolved to become more sensitive, Holliday said. —Scottie Andrew, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024

Learn from each experience and continually refine your approach, with your colleagues and students by your side. —Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contynuely, from continuel continual + -ly -ly entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above