constant

adjective

ˈkän(t)-stənt How to pronounce constant (audio)
Definition of constantnext
1
as in steady
not undergoing a change in condition change is the only constant thing in the world of fashion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frequent
appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time I get constant headaches during humid weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in steadfast
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something constant friends during times both good and bad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word constant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of constant are faithful, loyal, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When might faithful be a better fit than constant?

In some situations, the words faithful and constant are roughly equivalent. However, faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

When would loyal be a good substitute for constant?

Although the words loyal and constant have much in common, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is it sensible to use resolute instead of constant?

The words resolute and constant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

In what contexts can staunch take the place of constant?

The synonyms staunch and constant are sometimes interchangeable, but staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

When can steadfast be used instead of constant?

The meanings of steadfast and constant largely overlap; however, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

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 constant The players spent the last half hour in almost constant motion, running through actions and scouting matchups on the Dream’s roster with stoic expressions and little chatter outside of brief questions and corrections between plays. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025 In addition to spills and dribbles that can cause a foul odor to develop, your hands are in constant contact with the koozie, leaving behind bacteria and viruses that can lead to illnesses. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025 The mean sun’s motion across the sky is constant and unwavering. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025 Many Filipinos live with the constant fear of displacement. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for constant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constant
  1. steady
  2. frequent
  3. steadfast
  4. unchanging
  5. periodic
  6. staunch
  7. stable
  8. repeated
Adjective
  • Unemployment held steady at 4.2% for a third consecutive month as the government revised job growth down for March and April.
    — Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Keeping a steady clip and clocking in at a blissful running time, Hall and Gandersman discover two of their movie’s best moment in car scenes.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 June 2025
Definition of steady
Adjective
  • The mosquito deliveries occur over thousands of acres of remote, mountainous terrain that have significant elevational changes, strong winds, and frequent rain.
    — GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Inside a truck, ICE officers reviewed files on their targets, including biometric data, arrest and conviction records, work histories, and frequent whereabouts.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025
Definition of frequent
Adjective
  • Alternatively, seersucker remains a steadfast warm-weather favorite—especially for those who appreciate a touch of New England preppiness.
    — Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The single combines the guitarist’s weighted influence with the música mexicana group’s steadfast ambition.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • On top of this, REITs can change their investment strategy annually, making the investment journey anything but steady and unchanging.
    — Chay Lapin, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The animation in short films up until that point had been silly, vaudeville-inflected; mostly featuring animals because humans were too hard to draw in an appealing way — mostly with static and unchanging expressions, on flat, simplistic backgrounds.
    — Constance Grady, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of unchanging
Adjective
  • Modern belt drive systems, such as those from Gates, are made of a complex mixture of materials (above) that provide a service life far longer than a chain, operate in near silence, and require little to no maintenance, apart from periodic tension adjustments.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The suit claims the Trump administration’s decision to cut short the duration of immigration and work authorizations for Haitians was done in violation of immigration law and without the proper periodic review that the TPS statute requires.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Definition of periodic
Adjective
  • From the administration’s staunch anti-diversity stance and the military’s push to oust transgender servicemembers, to a looming US Supreme Court ruling that could upend health care for millions of LGBTQ Americans, the second Trump administration has ushered in a period of uncertainty and fear.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Just two awards away from obtaining EGOT status, for over three decades, Foxx has maintained a repertoire of not only staunch professionalism, but also stands as a benefactor of Black male representation in entertainment.
    — Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of staunch
Adjective
  • Now, investors looking for stable returns may want to consider diversified investment alternatives such as the Trefis High Quality portfolio, which has showcased impressive performance, yielding over 91% returns since its inception.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • This release is aimed at fixing some problems that cropped up in an earlier Gemini Pro update, and the word is, this version will become a stable release that comes to the Gemini app for everyone to use.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 June 2025
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • If finding a soulmate in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles is a long and arduous journey, one studded with minefields erupting in confusion, anxiety and repeated dismay, then let the body lead the way.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Before allowing your pup to get in the water, they should be examined by a veterinarian for conditions such as arthritis, heart disease or epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures, says the VCA, the animal hospital chain.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of repeated

Browse Nearby Words

constancy
constant
constantly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constant. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on constant

Nglish: Translation of constant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about constant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All