CONTINUAL Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'continual' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of continual are constant , continuous , incessant , perennial , and perpetual . While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence. // continual showers the whole weekend

Q: In what contexts can 'constant' take the place of 'continual'?

While in some cases nearly identical to continual , constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence. // lived in constant pain

Q: When could 'continuous' be used to replace 'continual'?

The meanings of continuous and continual largely overlap; however, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension. // football's oldest continuous rivalry

Q: When might 'incessant' be a better fit than 'continual'?

The words incessant and continual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity. // annoyed by the incessant quarreling

Q: When is 'perennial' a more appropriate choice than 'continual'?

Although the words perennial and continual have much in common, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal. // a perennial source of controversy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'perpetual' instead of 'continual'?

The synonyms perpetual and continual are sometimes interchangeable, but perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration. // a land of perpetual snowfall

continual

adjective

kən-ˈtin-yü-əl

Definition of continual next

as in continuous

going on and on without any interruptions the castaways hoped that the continual broadcast of the distress signal would eventually attract attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in recurrent

occurring or appearing at intervals a history of continual invasions from countries to the west

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of continual are constant, continuous, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

In what contexts can constant take the place of continual?

While in some cases nearly identical to continual, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When could continuous be used to replace continual?

The meanings of continuous and continual largely overlap; however, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

When might incessant be a better fit than continual?

The words incessant and continual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continual?

Although the words perennial and continual have much in common, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When is it sensible to use perpetual instead of continual?

The synonyms perpetual and continual are sometimes interchangeable, but perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

Examples 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 continual Some latitudes are not situated far enough north to experience continual total darkness. —

Cecilia Blomdahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 From the Romans to the Habsburgs, fighting continual wars on multiple fronts against multiple foes led to mounting debts and eventually to irreversible decline. —

Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024 Take a page out of the chapel’s book—create a five- or 10-year road map with benchmarks and continual progress evaluation. —

Aparna Prabhakar, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Keep on encouraging transparent and effective fiscal budget planning that has resulted in over 20 years of continual successful fiscal auditing recognition. —

Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for continual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for continual

Adjective

Acronis has continuous protection similar to what Carbonite Cloud Backup offers.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
To be sure, the solar industry at large should continue to expand irrespective of who runs the government, as continuous cost declines have made solar an increasingly viable energy source.

Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024