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 The film attempts to thread more than 3,000 hours of footage collected between 2018 and 2024 into an unflinching portrayal of West, a perennial lightning rod for controversy usually sparked by his own hand. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025 With an epic Oscar-winning title song by Streisand and tear-jerking scenes aplenty, this film is a perennial favorite and often referred to in pop culture. Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025 So yes, my most earnest and perennial goal is to make my mom laugh. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025 Her 2020 duo of albums, Folklore and Evermore, channeled the sound and sensibility of indie rock, refracting her perennial personal themes through a dark, blurry lens of fantasy and allegory. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
Adjective
  • Since premiering in 2011, The Voice has become one of TV’s most enduring singing competitions, launching the careers of artists like Cassadee Pope and Morgan Wallen.
    Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Classic Whites There's no kitchen paint color that's more popular or enduring than white.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This summer alone has seen youth uprisings in Nepal, Angola, and Indonesia, to say nothing of ongoing youth mobilization worldwide for a free Palestine.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Cooke’s granddaughter, Nicole Cooke-Johnson, saw the project as both deeply personal and part of her ongoing work as the head of his estate.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The original movie follows Lambert's character, Connor MacLeod, as a Scottish man in the 16th century who learns he was born immortal and must fight in a secret war that culminates in a battle in New York City in 1985, centuries later.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
  • All of them tell the action-fantasy story of an immortal Scottish swordsman's battles, taking place across storylines in the past and the present.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • But each season, the eternal optimism quickly wanes when one of the team’s top players gets injured.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By the way, the Shore Theater, that perpetual almost-a-project?
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
  • But at a moment when many people are in a perpetual state of gloominess — courtesy of the news, social media doomscrolling or streaming/cable dramas that confuse lack of literal illumination with profundity — the pleasantly sunny escapism is difficult to resent.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 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
  • And the ripple effect that occurs if that individual doesn’t succeed will have lasting effects far beyond this moment.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Speakers throughout the day have emphasized Kirk's influence through Turning Point USA, sharing personal reflections on his leadership, friendship, and lasting impact on conservative youth activism.
    Amanda Castro Mandy Taheri Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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