Try This Instead

For
Try This
a continuous flow
a continual flow
a constant flow
a consistent flow
a perpetual flow
a steady flow
continuous monitoring
continual monitoring
constant monitoring
persistent monitoring
steady monitoring
uninterrupted monitoring
a continuous operation
an uninterrupted operation
a sustained operation
a steady operation
a nonstop operation
a constant operation
a continuous period
an uninterrupted period
a sustained period
an ongoing period
a continued period
a persistent period

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

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 continuous The Conair garment steamer features a super quick 40-second heat up and a decent capacity water tank for up to 20 minutes of continuous steam. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 16 May 2025 On the first floor of the Fallingwater house, visitors move through the intimately sized entry to a continuous dining and living room. Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025 While the stock market reacted positively to Trump’s deal with China over the tariffs, the continuous reversals from the White House have confused consumers and businesses, leaving them little stability. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 15 May 2025 The rear-hub motor has a continuous output rating of 750 watts, but this flavor can peak at 1,400 watts and produce 105 Nm (77 lb.ft) of hill-conquering torque. Paul Ridden may 15, New Atlas, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
Adjective
  • The biggest opponent the Flanagan boys’ track team faced in the Class 4A state track and field meet on Saturday was continual weather delays.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
  • The worsening energy shortage threatens millions of residents with continual rate hikes and sporadic power outages — not to mention dashing the Northwest’s hopes of drastically reducing its contribution to climate change.
    Tony Schick, ProPublica, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the continued faith of those players will be of paramount importance.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Amid escalating conflict, accusations of continued strikes, and grave concerns that the two countries may engage in a full-out war, India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate cease-fire after U.S.-led talks.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 10 May 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
  • Breeze Airways will begin offering the nonstop service to Pensacola on Sept. 4 with flights planned two times weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 7 May 2025
  • By Elizabeth Rhodes Miami is an over-the-top, nonstop party of a destination, and the 2025 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix (May 2-4) was an all-out celebration of the sport.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 6 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
  • Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Yet the path itself is even, uninterrupted, and effortless to navigate in a wheelchair.
    Cory Lee, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

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!