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 The fear, in fact, is that our continual need to standardize will modernize ourselves out of existence. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2025 Hilo, on the other hand, is non-invasive, and can be worn 24/7 as it has been designed for continual tracking for clinical accuracy. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation & innovation for Walmart, said the company has focused on continual innovation with emerging technologies as a way to compete effectively in the retail market. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2025 With trust in the media at record lows — thanks in large part to Trump’s continual degrading of the press to help make his own lies more believable — no one seems to know what to believe. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for continual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continual
Adjective
  • However, the evolving landscape poses new challenges that demand continuous adaptation.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Aside from the Yukon 1000, it’s considered the longest kayak and canoe marathon in the world, in which paddlers must travel along the Missouri River for four continuous days.
    Ramal Nasim Updated July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The antifungals for yeast work a bit better, FWIW, but as many as 28% of people still wind up with recurrent yeast infections.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 7 July 2025
  • This study is important because its rigorous methodology confirms what previous research had suggested: Exercise extends disease-free survival for patients with cancer and should be incorporated as part of holistic treatment for patients to reduce their risk of recurrent and new cancers.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Israel launched a new ground and air offensive in central Gaza on Monday, pushing into Deir Al Balah with tanks and continued airstrikes following heavy bombardments overnight.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 21 July 2025
  • Follow Andy for continued coverage of the newest fads in the ultra-premium whiskey market, how tariffs would affect prices for bottle importers and why Scotland could soon be running out of peat.
    Andy Vasoyan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Does this bring him into a more recurring, regular role?
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 May 2025
  • 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
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
  • Rain showers and periodic storms are possible every day through Tuesday before humidity and heat were expected to build again in the Chicago area, the weather service predicted.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
  • Businesses should conduct periodic audits of cloud consumption, eliminate redundant services and negotiate better contracts with cloud vendors. 4.
    Motasem El Bawab, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • In an era of incessant image production and reproduction, how does cultural relevance emerge?
    Ana María Caballero, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The incessant drumline from CFB25 has been replaced by bands playing real songs and fight songs, making daily returns to the game much more enjoyable.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • There are nonstop flights back to the U.S. from several airports.
    William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • The service is part of a United campaign that’s adding 24 nonstop flights to some of the biggest college games of the 2025 season.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Continual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continual. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on continual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!