perennial

adjective

pə-ˈre-nē-əl How to pronounce perennial (audio)
Definition of perennialnext
as in enduring
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish her perennial pessimism was really starting to annoy her coworkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of perennial are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When could constant be used to replace perennial?

While in some cases nearly identical to perennial, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

Where would continual be a reasonable alternative to perennial?

Although the words continual and perennial have much in common, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When would continuous be a good substitute for perennial?

The words continuous and perennial can be used in similar contexts, but continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can incessant take the place of perennial?

In some situations, the words incessant and perennial are roughly equivalent. However, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When can perpetual be used instead of perennial?

The words perpetual and perennial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 perennial Learn to love this perennial herb by growing it in a container indoors. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025 The Mariah Carey co-write has become a perennial holiday hit for Faith Hill since 2000. —Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025 Mahomes and the Chiefs take their show on the road Sunday at Buffalo in a matchup of perennial AFC contenders. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025 Together, these women find respite from, and at times refute, perennial patriarchal powers. —JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
  1. enduring
  2. ongoing
  3. immortal
  4. eternal
  5. perpetual
  6. continuing
  7. lasting
Adjective
  • Miracle on 34th Street Six-year-old Susan has doubts about childhood’s most enduring miracle, Santa Claus.
    — Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The enduring moment of the game is probably the deep touchdown pass between Shough and Chris Olave — the one that saw Olave shrugging off cornerback Jaycee Horn and then scampering into the end zone, then jumping into a Panthers field-side fan section.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • There, a mechanic began repairs on the car, but was ordered to stop because of the ongoing court arguments over the car.
    — Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests and charges are expected, the release says.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • The actor gained increasing fame in his early 20s for playing Twilight's Edward Cullen, an immortal vampire who appears to be a teenager throughout the film series.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Kershaw will go down as a legend in LA, and his record against one of the best players to ever step on the diamond will remain immortal in his retirement.
    — Aaron Coloma, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of immortal
Adjective
  • In response to the lawsuit, eternal law student Kardashian filed her own anti-SLAPP motion — a motion to protect free speech against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation — in an effort to dismiss the lawsuit.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller seem like birds of an eternal feather, having played together frequently over the decades, but there is a first time for everything.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • But the ski area is just as impressive, with about 200 miles of ski terrain and perpetual snow.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
  • These stories about stuffing kids into snowsuits and her husband’s perpetual lateness are still charming, but there’s a different valence to them after the opening context of craft services and the Clermont Lounge.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
Definition of perpetual
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
  • After a Boston appeals court ruled late Friday to not immediately intervene, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a ruling pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause, the Associated Press said.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Families have lost confidence in the safety of their tap water, and that loss of trust has its own lasting harm.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of lasting

Browse Nearby Words

peremptory
perennial
perennially
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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

Nglish: Translation of perennial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perennial

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