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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 An agreement with the AFE (Spanish professional footballers’ association) states players are entitled to three weeks of continuous holiday per year, thus leaving a window of 18 days for a pre-season. —Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025 Damaging wind and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025 With a three-layer filter, clean water flows quietly in either continuous or motion-sensing mode. —Cierra Cowan July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 The technique requires precise control and rhythm, as the powder is carefully released between the fingers in a continuous flow. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 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
  • Throughout all conversations, there needs to be a continual and jarring reminder that the AI is just a machine.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The military would prefer to focus on managing ever-growing threats from satellites, an intensive effort that requires continual monitoring as other nations' increasingly sophisticated spacecraft maneuver from one orbit to another.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
Definition of continual
Adjective
  • If containment lines are broached, expect continued backing, flanking and headfire runs into adjacent tributary drainages and up to the PCT.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
  • Much of the increase has been earmarked for public safety, specifically for police and fire, amid continued growth, officials said.
    — Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 9 July 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
  • Currently, the longest nonstop flight in the world clocks in at 18 hours and 45 minutes, connecting New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN).
    — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
  • Across industries, companies are feeling the squeeze from labor shortages, rising costs and nonstop pressure to boost efficiency.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Definition of nonstop
Adjective
  • In an era of incessant image production and reproduction, how does cultural relevance emerge?
    — Ana María Caballero, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The incessant drumline from CFB25 has been replaced by bands playing real songs and fight songs, making daily returns to the game much more enjoyable.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Definition of incessant
Adjective
  • The center aims to provide student-parents with uninterrupted time for a variety of purposes, addressing a historically underserved population.
    — Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
  • Rising tariff concerns have led to the end of the era of easy money and uninterrupted growth.
    — Drew O’Connor, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Definition of uninterrupted

Browse Nearby Words

continuity
continuous
continuously
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Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continuous. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of continuous for Spanish Speakers

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