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

Companies are continually looking for an edge and AI is proving an important tool. —Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

The company has roughly 20% market share in the top five Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) markets and has been continually seeking expansion into new markets. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2024

Renowned designer Frederick Anderson has continually evolved his creative axis through the timely reinterpretation of womenswear, mirroring globalist conversations with the experiences that inform his evolving creative practice. —Essence, 13 Sep. 2024

Robyn, meanwhile, is an awkward fit for LuPone, who has continually sworn off Broadway in recent years but seemingly made an exception for Farrow, her longtime pal. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above