Definition of perpetualnext
1
2
3

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 The South would probably have won, the South would have separated, and slavery would have been perpetual. David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 For generations, American soccer seemed to be in perpetual development, peddling the potential. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 30 June 2026 This sophisticated system prevents metabolically expensive and functionally counterproductive perpetual growth, ensuring hair serves specific protective and insulating roles. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Marjane depicts our terrifying teachers, the violent morality police and our collective and perpetual fear that we might be caught, hurt, arrested, killed. Literary Hub, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perpetual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetual
Adjective
  • The actress kept the color nearly continuous with High Sport’s Isla dress in pale blue seersucker.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
  • Operators assign a destination, and the onboard software plans routes, interprets terrain, and controls the vehicle without continuous human input.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Amid the ongoing domestic assault investigation, Mortensen filed for a protective order against Paul on March 19, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • The talks come after the Qatari prime minister met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Tuesday to discuss ongoing US-Iran talks and regional developments.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • If so, is even that level enough to beat his eternal rival, Pogačar?
    Torrey Hart, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • All that is simply the evidence of the novel’s global reach and its timelessness – or put another way, its eternal cultural relevance – at work.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • But the bridges won’t make it to that date without continual — and costly — interventions, according to the highway district, especially if traffic intensifies.
    Mark Dee July 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
  • Both people and pets shed hair and dead skin cells on a continual basis.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Blazers, button-ups, chinos, and deck shoes have all become enduring elements of women’s wardrobes.
    Christina Holevas, Vogue, 5 July 2026
  • Heat and humidity couldn’t take down the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race and its 45,000-plus runners, one of Atlanta’s most enduring traditions.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Asteroids are notoriously difficult to spot from Earth against the endless darkness of space.
    Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • In the early Seventies, demand for gauzy evocations of the past was nearly endless.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Designed for evolving missions The latest award follows an earlier Titan procurement by JIATF-401, indicating continued confidence in the platform.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
  • First responders brave continued flooding Numerous agencies responded to the scene, including personnel from local, county and regional emergency services.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • Bond villain Hugo Drax) imagines a vast, floating city suspended in darkness, inhabited by immortal beings who, out of boredom, begin tinkering with the construct of time.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • Lobo As the cigar-smoking, alien, bounty hunter who teams up with Supergirl, Lobo possesses immense strength and is essentially immortal, having lived for hundreds of years.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on perpetual

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster