Synonym Chooser

How does the verb continue differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of continue are abide, endure, last, and persist. While all these words mean "to exist over a period of time or indefinitely," continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

When might abide be a better fit than continue?

While the synonyms abide and continue are close in meaning, abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

When could endure be used to replace continue?

Although the words endure and continue have much in common, endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

When is it sensible to use last instead of continue?

The words last and continue can be used in similar contexts, but last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

In what contexts can persist take the place of continue?

The synonyms persist and continue are sometimes interchangeable, but persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

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 continue What's without question is that the longer a shutdown continues, the more pressure will be brought on essential services going to vulnerable people and federal workers getting along (either on the job or not) without pay. Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 While Ray successfully adjusted its orbit and continues to function, it was not designed to land. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2025 King Charles, meanwhile, continues to be in treatment for his cancer. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025 As deputies exit the cell, Fatherley continues to hold Adair down on the bed. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for continue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continue
Verb
  • About 20 living hostages remain captive in desperate conditions, Israeli officials say, and about 25 more are believed to have died, but their bodies have not been returned to their families.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Slegers stopped short of admitting Arsenal are in the land of asking for favours elsewhere to remain in the title race.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Flights resumed early Friday morning but were halted that evening after more drones were spotted.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Jiang and the rest of the crew reunite and resume work on their unfinished feature.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite Congress changing the funding formula in 2021, the shortfall has persisted.
    Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Outdated perceptions persist, and many view manufacturing as dirty, dangerous, and limiting career growth.
    Mark Rayfield, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And to help celebrate, a 26-mile-long section of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened last month following the completion of two landslide repair projects, according to the National Park Service.
    Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
  • In a separate immigration court ruling last week, an immigration judge denied Abrego Garcia's request to reopen his original immigration case.
    Ely Brown, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Short cruises, typically lasting less than a week, are growing in popularity for quick getaways.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The 22-game run lasted from January 16, 1897, to September 18 later that year and helped the Birmingham club do the double of league title and FA Cup in the spring — something that wouldn’t be achieved again until Tottenham Hotspur replicated it in 1960-61.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, Stein strongly criticized the decision by GOP lawmakers to include a provision in the bill directing the state to adopt an alternative method of execution, in an attempt to restart the death penalty.
    Avi Bajpai, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The incident, which happened as the session was restarted after George Russell's bodywork was cleared from the track, has since started an investigation.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Continue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continue. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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