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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 Perhaps a perpetual light breeze is indicative of coastal North Carolina (and nowhere else)? Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 June 2025 McColl inspired me by modeling a perpetual single-mindedness on what mattered, not on what was fashionable. Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The group of eight perpetual pilgrims was selected from over 130 applicants. Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 18 June 2025 Property owners who partner with HUD to use rental assistance funding as a means to operate multifamily assets face rigorous compliance requirements that are perpetual in nature. Jamie Kennedy, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for perpetual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
Adjective
  • These must be reliable, scalable and secure, leveraging the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) for service management, SAFe for agility and DevOps for continuous improvement.
    Maria Raymond, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Reviewers say the headset battery stays charged through several hours of continuous use.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Multiple federal health officials said planning has been ongoing for the next steps of the reorganization and merger, even as Kennedy has cited the court rulings as a reason to dodge questions about the restructuring on Capitol Hill.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • However, investigations into the cause are ongoing. 10 engines, four water tenders, one dozer and three hand crews are all continuing to fight the fire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The goldfish is named Atman, the Sanskrit word for the eternal, universal self, which signals to the audience that Haidle’s play is more than a story about cake and candles.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • In the bathroom, which filled with morning light, the chain to flush the toilet was almost out of reach, and the sibylline whisper of the refilling tank seemed an eternal admonishment to the living.
    Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hilo, on the other hand, is non-invasive, and can be worn 24/7 as it has been designed for continual tracking for clinical accuracy.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation & innovation for Walmart, said the company has focused on continual innovation with emerging technologies as a way to compete effectively in the retail market.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • While superior technology and breakthrough innovations have shaped pivotal moments in history, victory has often relied on something more enduring: the ability to mobilize people, platforms, capital and ideas into a cohesive, mission-ready force.
    Toni Townes-Whitley, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The award recognizes a long-time commitment of service to aquaculture that is deemed highly significant and enduring.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Photo-Illustration: Wired Staff/Victoria Turk The worst part of travel is the planning: the faff of finding and booking transport, accommodation, restaurant reservations—the list can feel endless.
    Victoria Turk, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • In the age of dating apps and endless options, this fear has become more common than ever before.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The business requires my role to stay strategic, putting trust in my team and focusing on continued growth for the organization.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Mixed emotions for the trans community Despite the positive direction, the continued reality of not having a passport isn't lost on those impacted.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Old Guard 2 (Netflix movie) Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors face a powerful new foe.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 June 2025
  • The pair are part of a series of works which will lead to the creation of an immortal garden, suitable for any landscape, pulling inspiration from plants and trees which aid humanity either by granting us shad More sculpture by Pelletti is on display at Bowman Sculpture.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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