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 Slate also runs as a continuous spine along the exterior facade to the rooftop entertaining area. Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 Another major first from the mission will see one Shenzhou 23 astronaut carry out China's first continuous year in orbit. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 May 2026 At the same time, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services continues processing Medicaid eligibility redeterminations following the end of pandemic-era continuous-coverage protections. Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 From the back, the shoe’s slim ankle strap loops through a keeper and fastens with matching gold-tone hardware, while the glossy black footbed keeps the sandal in one continuous finish from the square toe to the heel. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
Adjective
  • Although no one tracks the number of facility dogs in children’s hospitals, Rodriguez points to the continual growth of the annual Facility Dog Summit, where handlers and other participants network and where attendance nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025.
    Laura Ungar, Fortune, 23 May 2026
  • At a time when audiences are already fatigued by the continual depictions of metahuman supers who wrestle with whether to remain anonymous or use their powers for good, this story is hardly unique.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Immediate improvements are great, but the effects were long-lasting and increased with continued use, too.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 May 2026
  • That’s as long-term yields hit the highest levels since the Great Financial Crisis on Tuesday due to hot inflation data, lack of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, strong consumer spending, and continued resilience in the labor market.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 May 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
  • Fewer cheap nonstop flights may make connections more common again, especially in cities where Spirit once operated heavily, potentially adding travel time but lowering ticket prices.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
  • The best flowers for small-space spring gardening Petunias are a workhorse — great for pots, hanging baskets and nonstop color all season.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • What LeVert couldn’t solve, however, was the Pistons’ incessant fouling.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 12 May 2026
  • Negotiations, compromise, limited strikes, sanctions, temporary deals—none of them stopped, or could stop, Iran’s drive for nuclear-weapons capacity, its incessant efforts to subvert neighbors, or its attempts to destroy the state of Israel.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Honeywell provides scalable and AI-enabled building automation technologies to help facilities manage increasing power and cooling demands, improve uptime for revenue-critical operations and enable uninterrupted events.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 22 May 2026
  • The system can perform uninterrupted missions lasting up to four hours and recharge fully within 90 minutes.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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