Synonym Chooser

How is the word incessant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of incessant are constant, continual, continuous, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When can constant be used instead of incessant?

In some situations, the words constant and incessant are roughly equivalent. However, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When could continual be used to replace incessant?

The words continual and incessant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When is it sensible to use continuous instead of incessant?

Although the words continuous and incessant have much in common, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

Where would perennial be a reasonable alternative to incessant?

While the synonyms perennial and incessant are close in meaning, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When would perpetual be a good substitute for incessant?

The words perpetual and incessant can be used in similar contexts, but 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 incessant With no resolution in sight, Natalie even reached out to local animal welfare groups, worried about the incessant barking. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 Washington has never done anything tangible to stop the incessant building, limiting intervention to a few key Palestinian areas. Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2025 Which is one of the reasons for my incessant muttering. Valerie Monroe, Allure, 2 June 2025 After their neighbor refused to address his dog's incessant night barking, a Reddit user took matters into their own hands, and their hilarious revenge has gone viral. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for incessant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incessant
Adjective
  • Amid volatility and continuous disruptions, the greatest threat to any organization is a workforce characterized by stress, negativity, disengagement, and poor health.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • This charming coastal town is home to the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country—and this year, Bristol is marking its 240th year doing it big on the Fourth of July.
    Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • So began a phase of daily training—and continual anxiety.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
  • Still, Syria’s fall might seem unimportant given that Damascus’s large air defense system proved incapable of stopping roughly 14 years of continual Israeli airstrikes, managing to shoot down only one Israeli F-16 in 2018.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mixed emotions for the trans community Despite the positive direction, the continued reality of not having a passport isn't lost on those impacted.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The business requires my role to stay strategic, putting trust in my team and focusing on continued growth for the organization.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 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
  • Canadian airline Porter Airlines will end its nonstop flight to Toronto this week after just six months as Canadian tourism to the U.S. has fallen after continued threats to its sovereignty, and substantial tariffs, from the Trump administration.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Tales of ballooning costs, nonstop rewrites, off-screen indulgence and on-set clashes swirled around the production, becoming the stuff of Hollywood lore.
    Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incessant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incessant. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incessant

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