perennial

adjective

pə-ˈre-nē-əl How to pronounce perennial (audio)
Definition of perennialnext
as in enduring
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish her perennial pessimism was really starting to annoy her coworkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 To hoist the World Cup trophy, the Americans would have to win that game, then four more after that, likely against some perennial soccer powers. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 July 2026 Paul’s words have proven prescient during the first few days of Wimbledon, where players losing their footing and either hurting themselves or not is as perennial as the strawberries and cream. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026 What Frost’s claim evidences is that perennial American anxiety about speaking a tongue whose name isn’t shared with that of our nationality. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 The perennial European favorites, London, Paris and Rome, take the top three spots for international flight destinations according to the data. — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for perennial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perennial
  1. enduring
  2. ongoing
  3. immortal
  4. eternal
  5. perpetual
  6. continuing
  7. lasting
Adjective
  • Blazers, button-ups, chinos, and deck shoes have all become enduring elements of women’s wardrobes.
    — Christina Holevas, Vogue, 5 July 2026
  • Heat and humidity couldn’t take down the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race and its 45,000-plus runners, one of Atlanta’s most enduring traditions.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of enduring
Adjective
  • The court also allowed claims that the company unfairly benefited by skimping on security, may have violated North Carolina’s unfair-trade law, and could be ordered to clarify and improve its ongoing data-security duties.
    — Chase Jordan July 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
  • Sign up for PEOPLE‘s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • Bond villain Hugo Drax) imagines a vast, floating city suspended in darkness, inhabited by immortal beings who, out of boredom, begin tinkering with the construct of time.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • Lobo As the cigar-smoking, alien, bounty hunter who teams up with Supergirl, Lobo possesses immense strength and is essentially immortal, having lived for hundreds of years.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of immortal
Adjective
  • If so, is even that level enough to beat his eternal rival, Pogačar?
    — Torrey Hart, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • All that is simply the evidence of the novel’s global reach and its timelessness – or put another way, its eternal cultural relevance – at work.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of eternal
Adjective
  • Americans are in a perpetual debate, which is no surprise, as retrogrades are notorious for misunderstandings and communication errors.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • But what keeps this show on my perpetual rewatch list is its humor, heart and endless humanity.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 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
  • Taking the lead in helping Cavalli mature, in ways that have nothing to do with his stuff, would be among their most important and lasting works.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The attacks have inflicted lasting damage that will be costly to fix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of lasting

Browse Nearby Words

peremptory
perennial
perennially
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Cite this Entry

“Perennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perennial. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perennial

Nglish: Translation of perennial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perennial

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