Definition of continuousnext

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 Also, the Bay State is launching a continuous bear hunting season this year, from Labor Day through early December, offering more than three months of regulated opportunities. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 Displayed flat in one continuous length for the first time, this is the tapestry as it has never been seen before, and a moment unlikely to come again. Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 That data has been built over decades - through large clinical trials, real-world effectiveness studies and continuous safety monitoring involving millions of children. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The first 11 Lake Mary hitters in the continuous lineup failed to put the ball in play. Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
Adjective
  • Geomorphologists, who specialize in the shape (and continual reshaping) of Earth’s surface, have studied the geometry of river networks far longer, since the late 1800s.
    Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than waiting for stability to return, many organizations are redesigning operations around the expectation of continual disruption.
    Josh Dunham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The national federations of Argentina, Mexico and Qatar are among those to express public support for his continued leadership.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In July this year, Yuri became the latest member to depart SM while confirming her continued commitment to group activities, bringing the number of members with external solo representation to three (Sunny left in 2023).
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
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
  • Websites for ayahuasca retreats highlight the emotional and spiritual benefits of the nonstop vomiting that comes from ingesting the plant mixture.
    T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Delta is partnering with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to offer up to 10 weekly nonstop flights between Austin and Europe during peak summer, with service to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam.
    Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Many people’s recollections of the 2010 World Cup will be the official anthem Waka Waka, the incessant sound of the vuvuzela, and of Paul the Octopus correctly predicting match outcomes.
    Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The character loved her son more than anything, as shown with her incessant nagging.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • If mobility isn’t an issue, take the stairs instead, which offer uninterrupted views of the Hudson river.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • That’s when 72-year-old Leidis Rodríguez frantically cooked beans after the lights switched on this week following hours of uninterrupted blackouts.
    Andrea Rodriguez, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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