Synonyms of continuous

continuous

adjective

kən-ˈtin-yü-əs 

as in continual

going on and on without any interruptions

a city that has been under continuous bombardment for three days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• continual
• continued
• continuing
• nonstop
• incessant
• uninterrupted
• constant
• unbroken
• unceasing
• perpetual
• unremitting
• ceaseless
• running
• persistent
• permanent
• steady
• endless
• unending
• lasting
• eternal
• interminable
• enduring
• everlasting
• immortal
• durable
• deathless
• undying
• unvarying
• unchanging
• stable
• changeless
• indestructible
• imperishable
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discontinuous
• periodic
• intermittent
• recurrent
• periodical
• seasonal
• noncontinuous
• cyclic
• alternate
• serial
• rhythmic
• occasional
• cyclical
• rhythmical
• recurring
• sporadic
• irregular
• spasmodic
• erratic
• alternating
• unsteady
• spotty
• fitful

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of continuous are constant, continual, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can constant take the place of continuous?

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

lived in constant pain

When would continual be a good substitute for continuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to continuous, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When could incessant be used to replace continuous?

While the synonyms incessant and continuous are close in meaning, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continuous?

The meanings of perennial and continuous largely overlap; however, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When might perpetual be a better fit than continuous?

In some situations, the words perpetual and continuous are roughly equivalent. However, perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of continuous

Instead, companies need a continuous optimization cycle that involves systematically identifying processes for automation, prioritizing them based on an impact-versus-effort analysis, and deploying the best available solution at that moment. —Bob Violino, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025

Tested under stringent conditions, the new material endured more than 90,000 operating cycles, which is the equivalent of 25,000 hours of continuous truck operation, while still outperforming current DOE targets. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025

In the years ahead, NASA's Artemis campaign aims to establish a continuous human presence with a lunar settlement on the south pole, where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

But three days of continuous use have helped sell me on the value of the iPhone Air. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025