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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

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 perpetual The footage shows several lights against the night sky, along with a perpetual buzzing sound, though Newsweek can't independently verify this. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 On the other end, Young orchestrated a relentless series of pick-and-rolls, putting Mikal Bridges, New York’s point-of-attack defender, in perpetual motion. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024 Soon the customers would all be regulars, their fingers always dusty with garlic powder and a hint of cayenne, and have a perpetual thirst that’s never quite quenched. Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2024 Only a perpetual, living, and constantly renewed memory of the mass murder would prevent the restoration of a criminal, authoritarian regime. Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perpetual 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
Adjective
  • Conclusion Elevating your leadership's executive positioning requires intentionality, alignment and continuous improvement.
    Marina Cvetkovic, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The number builds in what appears to be a single continuous take.
    Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The study looked at the top 250 television series available from major streaming services in 2023, including for the first time library titles alongside new and ongoing programs.
    Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
  • This analysis of an innovative proposition is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • That’s part of the fun of writing the show with these sort of eternal characters, who’ve been around forever.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Kim uses lady bugs as berries to symbolize good fortune, the wreaths to symbolize eternal unity and the candles to symbolize light in darkness.
    Bakr Muhammad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Talent is a significant component of an organization’s continual transformation.
    Mamie Jones, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Nevertheless, the commitment to continual improvement and adaptation within these racing formats is clear.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Building on existing relationships can lead to mentorships that are both impactful and enduring.
    Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
  • One of Hollywood’s most successful and enduring couples, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, long made their home on a 6.8-acre spread in Westport, Connecticut.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The first episode of Dexter-the-killer’s origin story is an endless callback to the original series that is sure to delight the most devoted of Dexter fans.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The movie was filmed in London over eight endless months; the script kept being rewritten, necessitating several reshoots.
    Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The power of Clark’s half-court three-pointers will be a part of that continued growth.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The events come amid continued calls from lawmakers, backed by thousands of protesters, for Yoon to be removed from office for his surprise martial law declaration that has rocked country.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Feel your immortal soul being warmed and suffused with pleasures both rare and immeasurable.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • But incredibly, when faced with threats from injury to starvation, the immortal jellyfish can reverse the process, turning the clock backward.
    Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near perpetual

Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on perpetual

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