periodical 1 of 2

adjective

ˌpir-ē-ˈä-di-kəl How to pronounce periodical (audio)
Definition of periodicalnext
1
as in serial
appearing in parts or numbers that follow regularly a periodical town newsletter that is supported by local advertisers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals periodical announcements from airline personnel concerning the delay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frequent
appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time periodical visits to the dentist will help keep your teeth healthy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

periodical

2 of 2

noun

as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals subscribed to three new periodicals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 periodical
Adjective
Like any outlet covering Congress, media working for TMZ must be credentialed by the Senate and House periodical press galleries. — Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026 Beginning in the 1890s, three successive Henry Wallaces — father, son, and grandson — held the editor’s pen at the influential periodical, Wallaces’ Farmer. — Andrew Klumpp, Des Moines Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
People who might be lucky to have a roof over their heads gathered there to read American books and periodicals, watch American movies, listen to lectures about America, tap their toes to jazz from America. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 It is anticipated that all IEEE periodicals will be included in the Integrity Hub screening by the end of this year. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for periodical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for periodical
  1. serial
  2. recurrent
  3. frequent
  4. newspaper
  5. serialized
  6. recurring
  7. periodic
  8. journal
Adjective
  • Concerns over a possible serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, have the Big Ten college town on edge.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of serial
Adjective
  • Patient advocates and clinicians say the recent advancements in treatment could mark the beginning of a new era in sickle cell care, one that may free thousands from recurrent episodes of debilitating pain and improve long-term health outcomes.
    — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The year-over-year tightening of global stocks in 2026/27 may be encouraging higher price ideas, but as values have climbed higher, there have been recurrent pullbacks from the buying side.
    — SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of recurrent
Adjective
  • The scale of the decline triggered a circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading on the exchange — a frequent occurrence this year in a stock market dominated by just two stocks.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The survey also found links between binge eating and frequent social media use (checking platforms at least hourly), poor mental health, and suicidality.
    — Sarah Todd, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of frequent
Noun
  • This week, Baylor’s student newspaper reported that the school’s enrollment of 13,860 undergraduates is BU’s lowest in 12 years.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As more magazines and newspapers and animation studios have gone out of business, more artists have turned to children’s publishing for work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of newspaper
Adjective
  • In particular, serialized dramas about women are undersupplied.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As part of Wednesday’s announcement, N LITE said it is set to release the serialized MFINDA manga with Kodansha early next year along with a line of consumer products.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of serialized
Adjective
  • How Recurring Revenue Is The Pump There’s only one kind of funding that reliably shows up in year seven—recurring, unrestricted revenue.
    — Sarah Evans, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Excluding non-recurring events, the magnitude of the average S & P 500 earnings surprise for the quarter is still about 11%.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of recurring
Adjective
  • Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Screeching was heard by residents Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September.
    — Joseph B. Frederick, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of periodic
Noun
  • The researchers published the findings in the journal Physical Review Letters.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The opening event, which included a 3,000-drone performance, wellness events such as sound healing, journal customization, aura photography and fashion sketches, was attended by global ambassador Jisoo and models Ming Xi and Stella Maxwell.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of journal

Browse Nearby Words

periodic
periodical
periodically
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Cite this Entry

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

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