continuous

adjective

kən-ˈtin-yü-əs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
Definition of continuousnext
as in continual
going on and on without any interruptions a city that has been under continuous bombardment for three days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For
Try This
a continuous flow
a continual flow
a constant flow
a consistent flow
a perpetual flow
a steady flow
continuous monitoring
continual monitoring
constant monitoring
persistent monitoring
steady monitoring
uninterrupted monitoring
a continuous operation
an uninterrupted operation
a sustained operation
a steady operation
a nonstop operation
a constant operation
a continuous period
an uninterrupted period
a sustained period
an ongoing period
a continued period
a persistent period

Synonym Chooser

How is the word continuous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of continuous are constant, continual, incessant, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can constant take the place of continuous?

The words constant and continuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When would continual be a good substitute for continuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to continuous, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When could incessant be used to replace continuous?

While the synonyms incessant and continuous are close in meaning, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When is perennial a more appropriate choice than continuous?

The meanings of perennial and continuous largely overlap; however, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When might perpetual be a better fit than continuous?

In some situations, the words perpetual and continuous are roughly equivalent. However, perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

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 continuous Genie did not have a stable, continuous setting for long. —Ken Fuchsman, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025 This ultra-compact device is incredibly easy to maneuver around clothes, and provides 10 minutes of continuous steam to help get the job done. —Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025 The beauty of retirement — like gardening — is in the process of continuous cultivation. —Kiplinger Consumer News Service, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025 Each episode of the UK series — which centers on a 13-year-old boy named Jamie being accused of murder — was filmed in a single take, with some running for more than an hour of continuous action, with school fights, foot chases and multiple location changes all included. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for continuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continuous
  1. continual
  2. continued
  3. continuing
  4. nonstop
  5. incessant
  6. uninterrupted
Adjective
  • By keeping foundational elements intact and refreshing certain aspects, through temporary activations, events or seasonal activations, venues can provide a sense of familiarity alongside continual newness.
    — Riki Nishimura, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Reitz said that UConn education is in high demand and that there has been continual growth in enrollment.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of continual
Adjective
  • Here are four takeaways from the week in our continued look at President Trump's first 100 days in office: 1.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The prospect of continued rain Saturday morning was enough to lead to organizers of the Bentonville Half Marathon to postpone the event, which was originally scheduled for 7 a.m. Saturday.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of continued
Adjective
  • Officials said overnight enforcement will focus on common and continuing offenses such as commercial vehicles parked in residential areas and permit violations.
    — Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025
  • State of the labor market Initial weekly unemployment insurance claims have held in a fairly steady range around 220,000, though continuing claims earlier in November had hit their highest level in about three years.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of continuing
Adjective
  • Travelers in Colorado trying to reach Utah from Denver International Airport will find a new option starting next week with the launch of Contour Airlines nonstop flights to Moab and Vernal, airport officials confirmed Thursday.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Spirit is adding 15 new and returning nonstop routes to The Motor City’s DTW.
    — Brandon Withrow, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of nonstop
Adjective
  • As Dorian’s life becomes an incessant bacchanal, Snook spends much of her time mugging and narrating directly into a smartphone screen, which is seamlessly projected onto a wall behind her.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • If Alex has a bit more credibility, not being as intractable in her positions, both have a tendency to come off as disagreeable in their incessant bickering and self-righteousness.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of incessant
Adjective
  • Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children.
    — Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Known for his long, uninterrupted single camera takes, auteur Tarr has had a following of cineasts at home and abroad.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of uninterrupted

Browse Nearby Words

continuity
continuous
continuously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

Nglish: Translation of continuous for Spanish Speakers

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

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
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 Word Game 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
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All