Definition of continentnext
as in mainland
one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent

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as in temperate
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 continent
Noun
In its subsequent two seasons, the league hosted events in 10 countries and five continents. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The continents were later named after another Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, who helped establish that the lands Europeans had encountered were part of a previously unrecognized continent. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 The campaign materials describe a strategy of synchronizing protests across continents, connecting student demonstrations, workplace actions, rallies and civil disobedience from Asia to the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The typical analysis of our continent — low growth, little liquidity, endless bureaucracy — doesn’t apply to Sweden. — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continent
Noun
  • Encore acquired worldwide distribution rights outside mainland China from Chow’s production banner, The Star Overseas, in June.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa regularly attempt to cross the border fences around Ceuta and Melilla, seeing the Spanish cities as gateways to mainland Europe.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Unsurprisingly, the wine lists are impeccable across the property, from Santé Restaurant to 38º North Wine Bar, which takes its name from the temperate latitude that cuts through some of the world’s finest wine regions.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The air was fresh and temperate, a welcome reprieve from the late fall chill that was settling into the East Coast.
    — Trisha Thadani Kirsten Potter Tanya Pérez Devin Murphy, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • How demographics and diversification shape Suntory’s strategy Investors have grown concerned that young consumers are more abstemious than their parents were at the same age.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.
    — Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The body of research on non-abstinent recovery has been growing as well.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Not everybody needs to spend the rest of their life totally abstinent with a cup of shitty coffee in a Styrofoam cup regurgitating platitudes.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Continent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continent. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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