PERENNIAL Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'perennial' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of perennial are constant , continual , continuous , incessant , and perpetual . While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal. // a perennial source of controversy

Q: When could 'constant' be used to replace 'perennial'?

While in some cases nearly identical to perennial , constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence. // lived in constant pain

Q: Where would 'continual' be a reasonable alternative to 'perennial'?

Although the words continual and perennial have much in common, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence. // continual showers the whole weekend

Q: When would 'continuous' be a good substitute for 'perennial'?

The words continuous and perennial can be used in similar contexts, but continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension. // football's oldest continuous rivalry

Q: In what contexts can 'incessant' take the place of 'perennial'?

In some situations, the words incessant and perennial are roughly equivalent. However, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity. // annoyed by the incessant quarreling

Q: When can 'perpetual' be used instead of 'perennial'?

The words perpetual and perennial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration. // a land of perpetual snowfall

perennial

adjective

pə-ˈre-nē-əl

Definition of perennial

as in enduring

having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish her perennial pessimism was really starting to annoy her coworkers

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

Some common synonyms of perennial are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When could constant be used to replace perennial?

While in some cases nearly identical to perennial, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

Where would continual be a reasonable alternative to perennial?

Although the words continual and perennial have much in common, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When would continuous be a good substitute for perennial?

The words continuous and perennial can be used in similar contexts, but continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

In what contexts can incessant take the place of perennial?

In some situations, the words incessant and perennial are roughly equivalent. However, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When can perpetual be used instead of perennial?

The words perpetual and perennial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 perennial Description This perennial member of the Fabaceae family produces long, slender vines that climb by twining or spread horizontally along the ground. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 This is common for fruit trees, strawberries, shrubs, and some perennial ornamental plants like roses. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 9 Oct. 2026 Yet Nevada is a perennial swing state that draws intense interest from both parties in presidential election years. — Philip Wang, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Miami is now among the perennial national championship contenders. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perennial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial

Adjective

The Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an artist with an enduring and exceptional career whose work has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
With the next World Cup still four years away, however, Pochettino is looking beyond the results toward building something enduring.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of enduring

Adjective

As Rose begins his fight against leukemia, his family is facing the emotional and financial challenges of medical treatments and ongoing healthcare expenses.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Investors with a long-term horizon can look beyond the ongoing volatility and track the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts to pick attractive stocks with strong long-term growth potential.

— TipRanks.com staff, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ongoing

Adjective

After a series of trials that kept them apart, Psyche proved her devotion to the gods, was rescued by her divine husband, and became immortal herself.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
My absolute favorite long-burn joke is that Kenneth is immortal.

— Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of immortal

Adjective

Chatten’s narrators are stuck in a perpetual apartness—desperate for safety and connection, but repeatedly failing to find it.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Whether investors’ perpetual jitters about AI infra spending are warranted is a matter of perspective.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of perpetual

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

Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work and require daily dosing, psilocybin has shown the potential to produce rapid and lasting improvements after just a handful of administrations, Nath said.

— Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Recognizing artists who have made lasting, significant contributions to the live music and concert touring business, past Legend of Live recipients include Usher, John Mayer, George Strait, Journey, Rush, Ozzy Osbourne and Elton John.

— Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of lasting

Browse Nearby Words

peremptory

perennial

perennially

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“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perennial

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Synonyms of perennial

adjective

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Example Sentences

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Articles Related to perennial

Is That Plant 'Perennial' or 'Annual'?

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

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Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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