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eternal 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce eternal (audio)
Definition of eternalnext
1
as in immortal
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish a charming fable that presents some eternal truths in a fresh way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in endless
lasting forever the quest for some magic potion that promises eternal youth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Eternal

2 of 2

noun

as in Lord
the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe spent much time pondering the nature of the Eternal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 eternal
Adjective
Around the halfway point of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Petya Trofimov — eternal grad student, moral purist, and former tutor to the once wealthy family whose diminution sits at the heart of the play — makes a speech. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 This is, of course, the conception of fundamentalist theology, which threatens eternal hellfire for anyone who defies its commandments. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
Zhao is an Oscar winner for her work on the Frances McDormand-starring Nomadland and comes to the festival to talk about portfolio so far, including on Marvel’s Eternals. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2025 Zhao’s appreciation for natural grandeur, as seen even in her big-budget superhero movie Eternals, shines through, as does her attention to detail. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eternal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eternal
  1. immortal
  2. endless
  3. enduring
  4. permanent
  5. ongoing
  6. continuing
  7. perpetual
  8. lasting
Adjective
  • Novelist and screenwriter Anne Rice led the charge against Cruise’s casting as Lestat de Lioncourt, a French theater actor in the 1700s who’d already become an immortal vampire by the time he’s introduced.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Significant church figures like Thomas Aquinas and the philosopher René Descartes have argued that animals don’t have an immortal soul.
    — Casper ter Kuile, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of immortal
Adjective
  • Lakes, mountains, forests and the endless islands are all within a few hours of Gothenburg so even without a car everything is accessible using the excellent trains, buses and ferries.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As attention fragments across endless feeds and screens, the moments people choose to show up for in person have become some of the most valuable in media.
    — William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of endless
Adjective
  • Flashbacks of Swift with Farrell, once happy, flash by, mirroring the exact same life that Johnson’s enduring.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For more than a century, the American motion picture industry has been an enduring part of our shared experience.
    — Paul Gunsky, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • The company also wants a permanent injunction to prevent Five Below from selling products that resemble Crocs.
    — Erin McCarthy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • As a reminder, DACA was created in 2012 by the Obama administration, providing temporary protection from deportation, but does not grant lawful immigration status, lawful permanent residency or a pathway to citizenship.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of permanent
Adjective
  • Lawmakers’ growing reluctance to fulfill Hegseth’s eye-popping budget request reflects real intraparty concerns about his leadership, his relationship with Congress, and the ongoing war with Iran.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the investigation is ongoing and praised authorities.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of ongoing
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
Definition of continuing
Adjective
  • Kalshi already provides leverage on its perpetual futures contracts, though has yet to receive the same approval to do so for its prediction markets.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Yet there remains a sense of remove in the production’s perpetual excitement at demonstrating just how well its own analog works.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of perpetual
Adjective
  • Despite the film’s success and lasting impact, Ostrum decided to quit acting not long after the film, turning to veterinary medicine as a career.
    — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The implication is that the choice is not necessarily between China, the US, Europe or the Gulf, but whether competition among them can be used to secure more lasting economic capacity.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of lasting

Phrases Containing eternal

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etchings
eternal
Eternal
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Cite this Entry

“Eternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eternal. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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