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 Despite being the only group without a perennial NBA MVP candidate, this is probably the closest there is to a group of death, with four top-20 teams in the FIBA world rankings. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025 The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher is a perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorite and has produced at least a dozen sacks in each of his four seasons. Lauren Merola, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 Athletic departments also come with the potential drawback of being not-for-profits that often run perennial deficits. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2025 What if the Twitter thread detailing Trump’s perennial misogyny was a person? Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
Adjective
  • The most enduring companies deeply understand the human on the other side of the transaction.
    Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The album was recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works—a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Paddling on the waters that sustain their lands reminds them of the sacrifices their families endured to preserve their fishing and hunting rights, their ongoing struggle to restore a watershed the size of West Virginia, the fight to bring fire and salmon back to the lands and waters.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • This story is part of As Equals, CNN’s ongoing series on gender inequality.
    Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This strain of vital self-doubt was also widely evident in Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) — the immortal documentary about the insane production of Apocalypse Now — directed by Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, and Eleanor herself.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The fresh take on a catalog of immortal tunes was born out of, well, lousy musicianship.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The phases of the moon are no exception — each phase embodies the sacred synergy between the light and dark, which also represents the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The eternal Margarita, or the hip Negroni, or the trendy Carajillo?
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the two movies Ethan made with Cooke and without his brother, Joel, criminal schemes with a tentacular grip on institutions and officials emerge as the perpetual and immutable way of the world, as decipherably practical versions of the cosmic joke.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Elena is a perpetual favorite with my kids: a princess with magic!
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 20 Aug. 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
  • That’s a deeper, more lasting source of motivation, especially in smaller startups.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Its world debut came at the ALS NEXUS Convention in Dallas during the Heroes Awards Dinner, honoring those making a lasting impact in the ALS community.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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