CONTINENT Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

continent 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition of continent

as in mainland

one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

continent

2 of 2

given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 continent

Noun

In addition to Broadway, the show has played in nine countries across four continents since making its West End debut in 2019. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 And that means the Mississippian people who lived in Etowah must have had continent-spanning trade connections. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 Less than a century ago, Europe was a continent destroyed by conflict. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The new film captures a production that has now played more than 150 shows across four continents since launching in September 2025. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for continent

Noun

The Spanish government will also ask the EU to recognize Ceuta and Melilla as outermost regions of the bloc, a special designation that allows territories that are separate from mainland Europe to join the EU customs union, said Sánchez.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
For nearly a hundred years, mule deer have roamed across the scenic but fragile ecosystem of Catalina Island in Southern California, ultimately becoming an ecological fixture and tourist attraction for folks who visit from the mainland.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of mainland

Adjective

And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Definition of ascetic

Adjective

Not everybody needs to spend the rest of their life totally abstinent with a cup of shitty coffee in a Styrofoam cup regurgitating platitudes.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
One of the sacrifices Dolan mentioned in his speech was staying abstinent.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

Definition of abstinent

Browse Nearby Words

continence

continent

continental

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Style

“Continent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of continent

noun

adjective

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