Definition of continentnext
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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as in temperate
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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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
Aircraft subsequently transformed passenger travel, global trade, emergency response, and military operations, shrinking the practical distances between continents. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 The tracks, the engineers, the data, the media attention, the sheer amount of racing—the Formula 1 World Championship consists of twenty-plus races, on five continents, in nine months. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 Europe is the fastest-warming continent and extreme heat, the deadliest form of extreme weather, is already becoming unbearable. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 Scientists say Europe is the world's fastest warming continent. — Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continent
Noun
  • Momentum in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Singapore partly offset the ongoing slowdown in mainland China.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But Bioko island, off mainland Equatorial Guinea, has managed to sharply reduce malaria infections and deaths.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But while southern regions warmed up, the weather on the Isle of Skye remained temperate.
    — Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The scientists spotted the fungus during fieldwork in the temperate coniferous forests near Damaidi and Yipinglang and in a tropical rainforest near Nanbang in southern China.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • How demographics and diversification shape Suntory’s strategy Investors have grown concerned that young consumers are more abstemious than their parents were at the same age.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.
    — Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The body of research on non-abstinent recovery has been growing as well.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Continent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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