continual
adjective
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Since the mid-19th century, many grammarians have drawn a distinction between continual and continuous. Continual should only mean "occurring at regular intervals," they insist, whereas continuous should be used to mean "continuing without interruption." This distinction overlooks the fact that continual is the older word and was used with both meanings for centuries before continuous appeared on the scene. Today, continual is the more likely of the two to mean "recurring," but it also continues to be used, as it has been since the 14th century, with the meaning "continuing without interruption."
Synonyms
Examples of continual in a Sentence
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024
Alan Adelson, Kate Taverna An artist obsessed for decades with creating imaginative and haunting structures to honor lost friends ironically lives with the continual threat of her own eviction.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
However, experts emphasize that continual use and choosing one with a host of rejuvenating ingredients is key; and that's not all.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2024
Former Australia batter Stuart Law has been sacked as coach of the U.S. men's national team as the spotlight from power brokers intensifies on the continual tumult engulfing American cricket.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Continual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continual. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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continual
adjective
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