- continual
- continual, continuous, constant, incessant, unremitting, perpetual, perennial are comparable when meaning characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence over a relatively long period of time.Continual implies a close or unceasing succession or recurrence; continuous, an uninterrupted continuity or union (as of objects, events, or parts){
ensure a continual supply of provisions at regular intervals
}{continual and regular impulses of pleasurable surprise from the metrical arrangement— Wordsworth
}{analytic studies are continuous, and not to be pursued by fits and starts, or fragmentary efforts— De Quincey
}{the continual suggestion of the landscape . . . entering . . . into the texture of continuous intelligent narration— Stevenson
}As applied to a single object, continual also stresses frequently the idea of going on indefinitely, though not without interruptions, in time rather than (like continuous) that of unbroken connection or substance; thus, continual industry implies that one is always at it; continuous labor, that the work itself is performed at a stretch{he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast— Prov 15:15
}{that dull and continuous burden of the sea heard inland before or after a great storm— J. R. Lowell
}Continuous refers to both time and space, continual only to time; thus, one may speak of a continuous (not continual) expanse, but of a continual (or continuous) noise{humanism has been sporadic, but Christianity continuous— T. S. Eliot
}Constant implies uniform, steady, or persistent occurrence or recurrence and usually connotes lack of change or variation (as in character, degree, or rate){constant throbbing of the engine
}{such a career meant constant toil— Buchan
}{unfortunately, perhaps, experience does not grow at a constant, but at an accelerated, rate— Krutch
}Incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity; unremitting, unceasing activity without slackening or halting; and perpetual (see also LASTING), unfailing repetition or lasting duration{an incessant cough
}{a life of unremitting toil
}{perpetual colds
}{sporadic outbursts are converted by the rationalization into purposive and unremitting activity— Huxley
}{the perpetual fuel of controversy— Newman
}{sins unatoned for and uncondoned bring purgatorial or perpetual torment after death— H. O. Taylor
}{his incessant talking and shouting and bellowing of orders had been too much— London
}Perennial carries the implication of existence over an indeterminate number of years; especially in older use this idea may be stressed and that of exhaustlessness often connoted{the perennial beauty and heroism of the homeliest human nature—J. R. Lowell
}{the perennial feeling of silent worship— Carlyle
}In current use, probably because of the application of the term to plants that die down to the roots and spring up again seasonally over a number of years, the implication of continual recurrence or constant renewal is perhaps more common{revolt is perennial— Lowes
}{the perennial question of the relation between ought and is, of obligation and fact— Alexander
}Analogous words: unceasing, endless, interminable, *everlasting: eternal (see INFINITE): *lasting, permanent, perdurableAntonyms: intermittentContrasted words: recurrent, periodic, alternate (see INTERMITTENT): *fitful, spasmodic
New Dictionary of Synonyms. 2014.
