Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of continual are constant, continuous, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

In what contexts can constant take the place of continual?

While in some cases nearly identical to continual, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When could continuous be used to replace continual?

The meanings of continuous and continual largely overlap; however, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

When might incessant be a better fit than continual?

The words incessant and continual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continual?

Although the words perennial and continual have much in common, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When is it sensible to use perpetual instead of continual?

The synonyms perpetual and continual are sometimes interchangeable, but perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

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 continual Wild raptors like eagles, hawks, and falcons, need this continual keratin growth to keep their beaks and talons sharp for hunting. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025 Texas boasts one of the United States' oldest wineries in continual operation: Val Verde Winery near the Mexican border, which has been in operation since 1883. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 With oversight from the General Manager and Beverage Director, the Bar Manager oversees all day-to-day beverage functions & operations including marketing initiatives, staff scheduling, training and execution, cost control and driving top line revenue as continual focus. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025 Short wars are fought with whatever resources are available at the time; long wars require the development of capabilities that are geared to changing operational imperatives, as demonstrated by the continual transformation of drone warfare in Ukraine. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for continual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continual
Adjective
  • The same passive tracking technology is also being tested in Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and depression, conditions that similarly benefit from continuous, context-aware insight.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Trees, shrubs, and flowers benefit from big, infrequent drinks rather than a continuous trickle.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Yamal’s ascent toward superstardom, Lewandowski’s battle against father time, Raphinha’s rapid rise, and Pedri’s recovery from recurrent hamstring problems will have more to do with Madrid’s success than anything Alonso does.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Most patients with advanced dementia are suitable candidates, especially with decreasing function, increasing confusion, and recurrent infections.
    Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the continued faith of those players will be of paramount importance.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • The airport plans continued growth in the future and is eyeing continued expansion to accommodate future growth.
    Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Dobson says the research is coming now that the power engineering community increasingly recognizes cascading failures as a distinct and recurring problem—a concept that still elicited protests from power engineers in the aftermath of the 2003 blackout.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Aug. 2013
  • The strange makeup of recurring dreams Research has found that most recurring dreams have a negative tone with themes often related to helplessness, failure, or being chased.
    Stacey Colino, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Officials said overnight enforcement will focus on common and continuing offenses such as commercial vehicles parked in residential areas and permit violations.
    Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025
  • State of the labor market Initial weekly unemployment insurance claims have held in a fairly steady range around 220,000, though continuing claims earlier in November had hit their highest level in about three years.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Most hardware wallets, for example, require periodic internet connectivity for transaction signing, as every blockchain transaction requires input from the blockchain.
    Lior Lamesh, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Guest chefs have pop-ups quarterly, and periodic special dining experiences are also on the menu.
    Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The tire marks from dump trucks hadn’t yet been blown away by the incessant gales of the high desert.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
  • Classrooms across the country are facing a pandemic of distraction—incessant buzzing, pinging and chiming competing with teachers and classmates for student attention.
    Bill Ready, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These happen monthly, a grueling filming marathon that begins at midnight and requires two hours of nonstop cooking demos and interviews, all broadcast live to promote Stone’s line of kitchenware sold through HSN.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • The fine textured foliage and flowers complement bolder forms and provide nonstop color from mid-summer through fall, drawing scores of butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to the garden.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Continual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continual. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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