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 That’s how desperate Jason is to cling to his happy place — although the next 24 hours could prove traumatic enough to finally snap him out of his perpetual adolescence. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025 Aeterna means everlasting or perpetual, which dovetails with the lore behind the serpent, which is said to represent eternity. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025 Since acquiring VMware, Broadcom has consolidated its virtualization tools product line and moved customers from a perpetual license to a subscription model. —Dirk-Peter Van-Leeuwen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 According to Gartner, since the December 2023 announcement that Broadcom was ending perpetual licenses, many Gartner clients are expecting their costs to at least double at renewal for their VMware spend. —Dirk-Peter Van-Leeuwen, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 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
  • Their work demonstrates that revolutionary movements are not ruptures but re-awakenings, continuous struggles that recycle and reinterpret the past in pursuit of a freer future.
    — Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
  • By fostering a culture of continuous learning, leveraging emerging talent and focusing on transferable skills, organizations can stay competitive and effectively bridge the skills gap in their IT departments.
    — Brad Smith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of continuous
Adjective
  • Reps for Amazon and Howell are not commenting, but sources say negotiations are currently ongoing for Howell to join the series.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Discussions around a new tax bill are ongoing on Capitol Hill, but there does not currently appear to be any pointed push to remove the tax exemption on these bonds.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • But what’s even creepier is Remmick’s invitation to the holdouts to join them, promising an escape from dehumanizing cruelty into a fellowship that offers an eternal life of freedom and enlightenment.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Duke faithful may still be reeling from the shock of losing the national semifinal to Houston despite a 6-point lead with the ball in the final minute, but hope springs eternal in Durham.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • Short wars are fought with whatever resources are available at the time; long wars require the development of capabilities that are geared to changing operational imperatives, as demonstrated by the continual transformation of drone warfare in Ukraine.
    — Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With continual breaking headlines about romance scams and serial catfishers, people are becoming more cautious online, calling for better security and authenticity guardrails.
    — Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of continual
Adjective
  • Its enduring relevance, uncanny foresight into technology and humanity, and now a season filled with resonant, top-tier performances make Season 7 its best Emmy contender in years.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But Ovechkin is the most prolific, the most consistent, the most enduring — combining those legends’ finishing ability with a durability none could match, and doing it in a vastly more difficult era in which to score.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • Its most beautiful and bracing imagery is that of cotton fields plumbed by sharecroppers, endless skies and dusty roads, the verdant expanse of a land that has witnessed so much sorrow.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • We’re blown away by the seemingly endless number of discounts on popular brands like Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, Vera Bradley, Kelly Clarkson Home, and Shark.
    — Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of endless
Adjective
  • Eyal’s optimism is backed by checks by his firm that indicated continued strength in demand, with CYBR’s effort to expand its platform away from its core privileged access management gaining traction among customers.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • But legal experts say the Administration’s continued refusal to comply fully with the courts suggests a broader erosion of constitutional norms.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of continued
Adjective
  • Each time he’s killed testing the alien atmosphere for viruses or absorbing massive amounts of radiation on a space walk, he’s resurrected in a printing machine in what amounts to a hilariously terrible immortal drudgery.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In subsequent retcons and embellishments over the years, before the Big Bang occurred for the seventh round, Galan was infused with the glowing omnipotent essence of the Sentience of the Cosmos to become the immortal being Galactus.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of immortal

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perpetual
perpetually
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Cite this Entry

“Perpetual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetual. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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