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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of perpetual are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perennial. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

When is constant a more appropriate choice than perpetual?

The words constant and perpetual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When can continual be used instead of perpetual?

While the synonyms continual and perpetual are close in meaning, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When would continuous be a good substitute for perpetual?

While in some cases nearly identical to perpetual, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can incessant take the place of perpetual?

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

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is it sensible to use perennial instead of perpetual?

The synonyms perennial and perpetual are sometimes interchangeable, but perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

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 perpetual This led to fervent talk about our perpetual lack of funds, the ravages of late capitalism, and how to assuage said ravages. Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025 This perpetual sense of crisis has led more people to lean into the supernatural, Zarka said. Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Into the fray swings their neighbor and perpetual mediator, Sha — but the young girl, a confidante to them both, can only hold the fraternal chaos at bay for so long. Ben Croll, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025 Monk, a perpetual Sixth Man of the Year candidate, is a better shooter and athlete than Westbrook, although Westbrook may be the superior passer and rebounder for his size. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perpetual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
Adjective
  • The swappable battery system provides over eight hours of operation per pack, allowing continuous use.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
  • That’s where continuous glucose monitors come in.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There is growing optimism that the global oil glut—exacerbated by ongoing OPEC production hikes—will peak in the first half of 2026, allowing for the industry to rebound in the back half of next year, CEOs said.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The ongoing government shutdown is the latest wrinkle, presenting risks to both the actual economy and investors’ ability to understand what’s going on due to the lack of economic data collection.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The story captures the dilemma between the ephemeral and the eternal inherent in any attempt to pin down the soul.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • As many of Husain’s contemporaries moved overseas (including Souza and Raza, who relocated to the UK and France, respectively), the painter remained in India, his eternal muse.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Whatever the trigger was, to prevent recurrence of the calamity, degassing facilities were installed at Lakes Monoun and Nyos to remove the continual buildup of carbon dioxide gas.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Evolution is a process of continual experimentation.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Art Deco, an emblem of the Roaring 1920s, remains one of the most enduring and revolutionary design movements of all time.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In 1929, on the eve of the first game held in the stadium, workers planted the hedges overnight, giving birth to one of college football’s most enduring visual trademarks.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This allows kids to create several seating configurations along with endless imaginative play scenarios.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Bell, who has been married to actor and podcast host Dax Shepard since 2013, thinks the potential storylines for Season 3 are endless.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The initiative builds on Walmart’s continued strategy of securing partnerships with collectible marketplaces; the company previously entered a similar agreement with StockX in 2024, so this partnership will further strengthen its status in the premium sneaker and collectibles space.
    Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier this month, Disney inked a renewal with Comcast for continued carriage of the Mouse House’s networks.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Hilty originated the part of the glamorous, immortal Madeline in both the show’s 2024 Chicago premiere and its Broadway run, earning her second Tony nomination, this time for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t expect a by-the-letter adaptation of Mary Shelley’s immortal story, however.
    Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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