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 For many of us, historical and perennial suffering can be mended through reparations. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 These jewel-like berries grow on perennial canes that can produce fruit for years with proper care. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 The franchise has been a perennial contender for years, though one of their first-ever household stars evidently feels that having played north of the border has been a challenge to his legacy. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Lawsuits are a perennial feature of California’s election season, but judges have been reluctant to alter the attorney general’s phrasing. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 July 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
  • Over more than two centuries the most enduring commercial successes repeatedly centered on creating value for customers, building trust, and expanding what people could do and afford.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • At an institution where nearly everything else has been muted, the most enduring expression of what the Kennedy Center once was now lives on its smallest stage.
    — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • The ongoing housing crisis, characterized by soaring rents and unattainable mortgages, is profoundly disrupting communities, forcing displacement and severing crucial relationships.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The facility is believed to not yet be operational, with construction ongoing.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • Of course, in the immortal words of Kobe Bryant, the job is not finished.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Once immortal titans of nerdom, the big three have recently lost their grip on the zeitgeist, especially in movie theaters.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of immortal
Adjective
  • Actor and eternal millennial icon Lindsay Lohan even indulged in the dessert for her recent 40th birthday, with the pastry making an appearance in her celebratory Instagram photo dump.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Pouncing, of course, is one of the eternal joys of reading, just as sports fans know no keener pleasure than that of kvetching about the players who weren’t picked for a vital game and who would have surely made all the difference.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • In fact, there was until recently a 100x Bitcoin perpetual future that retail investors bought in huge amounts.
    — Derek Horstmeyer, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • Her greatest obstacle is a perpetual lack of resources for adaptive athletes in the Midwest, a cause Hwang often speaks about on social media.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 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
  • Conversely, founders solely focused on money often burn out, lacking the profound commitment needed to build enduring companies and create lasting legacies.
    — Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Another is Judge Sweeney bypassing a temporary restraining order (TRO) to issue a more lasting preliminary injunction (PI).
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 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 4 Aug. 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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