Synonym Chooser

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 Add smartphones and social media to the perennial teen hurdles of nerves, hormones, family, peer pressure, gendered double standards, etc., and the fodder for drama and miscommunication is endless. Judy Berman, Time, 8 May 2025 But at the perennial garden at the Sue B. Hart Perennial Garden inside Elizabeth Park, the area really is fenced off to protect the plants from rabbits. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025 Fertilize Flower Beds Annual and perennial flower beds will benefit from a top-dressing of 1 to 2 inches of compost. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025 With perennial winner Game of Thrones ineligible that year, oddsmakers had mostly settled on Netflix’s The Crown to take home the Drama Series award for its debut season. Joe Reid, Vulture, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
Adjective
  • In relationships, however, there’s an enduring notion that partners should always love each other, no matter what.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • More to Read Still Deco after all these years: Robert Landau’s L.A. images showcase the enduring style May 7, 2025 Getting a filling — at the mall.
    Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The proposal is part of the agency's response to the ongoing delays and cancellations that have resulted from tech difficulties in the air traffic control tower.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Now, just getting to the airport may be a burden as the NJ Transit has suspended all train services due to an ongoing strike.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, the rapper/singer spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and talked about the birth of that immortal couplet.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 12 May 2025
  • That would be the immortal Jerry Dybzinski, whose base-running gaffe in Game 4 of the 1983 American League Championship Series proved costly in an extra-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout the book’s 26 chapters, Blume examines the question of whether or not first loves are eternal.
    Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025
  • Barca opened up a seven-point lead at the summit by beating its other eternal rival Real Madrid 4-3 in El Clasico at the weekend.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Yet the perpetual sad boy is already contemplating the extent of his mortality — and his legacy.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Vedder, a passionate Cubs fan, supplied a guitar that will serve as a perpetual trophy in the contest.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 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
  • The trust built with collaborators across various projects has enabled us to achieve lasting and impactful results.
    Erdem Erkul, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Early studies relied on the DNA of modern people to make inferences about evolution, but these methods could detect only events that had lasting effects.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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