perpetual

adjective

pər-ˈpe-chə-wəl How to pronounce perpetual (audio)
Definition of perpetualnext
1
as in continuous
going on and on without any interruptions the perpetual rise and fall of the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ongoing
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish freedom of religion is a perpetual right that is guaranteed by the nation's constitution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eternal
lasting forever an immature jerk who seemed to be in a state of perpetual adolescence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Driving the Conversation The Week/Month/Year of NBC Despite the fact that I — and maybe about 130 million others — will be tuned in to NBC on Sunday night for the Super Bowl and then two weeks of the Olympics, the network’s plans for perpetual Sunday night sports dominance snuck up on me. —Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Lucali, the cult-favorite pizza spot with a perpetual line outside, opened Baby Luc’s slice shop in 2021, which offers light, airy, and crisp square pie and a much shorter wait time than their original location. —Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026 Another district court judge in Minnesota, Michael Davis, accused the government of attempting to undermine the regulatory and statutory authority of the immigration courts to coerce perpetual, infinite detention. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026 The makeshift detention center, surrounded by chain-link fences, had detainees sleeping on brown bunk beds under bright, perpetual fluorescent lights. —Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perpetual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
  1. continuous
  2. ongoing
  3. eternal
  4. continual
  5. enduring
  6. endless
  7. continued
  8. immortal
Adjective
  • It is equipped with an active cooling system between its leg joints, ensuring continuous high-intensity performance up to 4 hours with a solid-state lithium battery architecture.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The Group nurtures a culture built on empowerment, agility, and continuous learning.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of continuous
Adjective
  • The operation reflects ongoing Israeli military incursions in Lebanon since a ceasefire ended the 14-month Hezbollah-Israel conflict last year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • That is true again today, with the ongoing rise of niche and indie beauty labels, as well as emerging geographic markets where domestic players are growing and are becoming competitors on the world stage.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • But Brontë’s novel is an eternal nightmare, one that has haunted readers for two centuries.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Plenty of observers over the years have drawn a link between the Koopas and their king, Mario’s eternal archenemy Bowser, and the reptilian kappa creatures of Japanese mythology, untrustworthy trickster water spirits with a passing resemblance to turtles.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • There are many good answers, but at the base is the continual creation of more jobs in Texas that stay in Texas, as technology is increasingly changing the way money is earned.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • District enrollment declining McMullen said Olathe Schools saw a continual increase in enrollment from 1965 to 2019, averaging a growth of 493 students a year during that period.
    — Kendrick Calfee February 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of continual
Adjective
  • The idea that managers must be loud, constantly visible, or the most vocal person in the room is one of the most enduring workplace myths.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Just off the gondola entrance sits Club Moritzino, one of the Dolomites’ most enduring mountain huts and a buzzing lunch and apres-ski destination.
    — Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • The Boone area may be home to three different ski resorts—Appalachian Ski Mountain, Sugar Mountain Resort, and Beech Mountain Resort—but America’s Best Small Mountain Town also has endless appeal for travelers who’d rather not spend all day zooming down the mountain.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The accolades were endless for Miranda in 2025.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of endless
Adjective
  • Los Angeles County has unsuccessfully attempted to phase out the use of pepper spray inside its juvenile facilities for nearly seven years, and all of the current Board of Supervisors publicly oppose its continued use.
    — Jason Henry, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Every department should be submitting regular reports justifying expenses, if not their own continued existence.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of continued
Adjective
  • The symphony, conducted by its music director Carolyn Kuan, is playing a ballet score by Prokofiev inspired by Shakespeare’s immortal drama about two young lovers from feuding families at the Belding Theater at The Bushnell, located at 166 Capitol Ave.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
  • On the other sideline, the New England Patriots are somehow back here again, trying to rekindle a dynasty that once felt immortal under Tom Brady.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of immortal

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Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perpetual

Nglish: Translation of perpetual for Spanish Speakers

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