perennial

adjective

pə-ˈre-nē-əl How to pronounce perennial (audio)
Definition of perennialnext
as in enduring
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish her perennial pessimism was really starting to annoy her coworkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Bloody Mary While a few bars have transformed this perennial brunch favorite into an evening cocktail, the majority have not. —Christina Liao, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2026 Many gardeners enjoy starting lettuce or carrots by seed outdoors, but few of us start perennial or biennial flowers by seed. —Henry Homeyer, The Providence Journal, 13 Mar. 2026 For all the attention on this time of year — certainly warranted — the Chiefs did not build a perennial Super Bowl contender in March. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026 These perennial fights over control of schools certainly don’t serve the system’s nearly 850,000 students. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
  1. enduring
  2. ongoing
  3. immortal
  4. eternal
  5. perpetual
  6. continuing
  7. lasting
Adjective
  • Indeed, the crown prince has demonstrated an enduring interest in developing a Saudi nuclear fuel cycle.
    — Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and became one of the most enduring acts in punk rock, releasing over a dozen studio albums independently through Fat Mike’s Fat Wreck Chords label.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • French senior officials, speaking anonymously on the ongoing talks, said the Netherlands, Italy and Greece had shown interest and that Spain might be involved in some way.
    — SAM McNEIL, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Those include access to the wellness center, ongoing health coaching and use of high-tech body scans.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • There’s a long-standing (and likely apocryphal) legend that Predator screenwriters Jim and John Thomas imagining Rocky Balboa in the ring with an alien was the seed from which their immortal creature feature sprung.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The footage shows Homelander (Antony Starr), who's hellbent on reaching immortal god status, waking up his father, Soldier Boy (Ackles), from cryogenic stasis.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of immortal
Adjective
  • This air of uncertainty should liven up the final stop on the eternal awards blitz.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The visionary who saved rage rap from eternal Carti pastiche?
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • Dubai is known for being one of the world’s most opulent cities, as well as a bastion of safety in a region under the perpetual threat of violence.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The Fighting Irish had slipped into seemingly perpetual mediocrity and unfulfilled expectations.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of perpetual
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
Definition of continuing
Adjective
  • At the same time, addressing the underlying debt often provides the most lasting solution to help stop the calls and move you closer to financial stability.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Through intimate observational footage, letters read in voiceover, archival footage of their lives before the war, De Pue shows the devastating and lasting effects of war on the lives of the protagonists.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of lasting

Browse Nearby Words

peremptory
perennial
perennially
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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

Nglish: Translation of perennial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perennial

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