perpetual
adjective
per·pet·u·al pər-ˈpe-chə-wəl 
-chəl;
-ˈpech-wəl
1
a
: continuing forever : everlasting
perpetual motion
b(1)
: valid for all time
a perpetual right
(2)
: holding something (such as an office) for life or for an unlimited time
2
: occurring continually : indefinitely long-continued
perpetual problems
3
: blooming continuously throughout the season
Synonyms
- ceaseless
- continual
- continued
- continuing
- continuous
- incessant
- nonstop
- running
- unbroken
- unceasing
- uninterrupted
- unremitting
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
As always, I was struck by how the core values of the military—service and discipline, both physical and intellectual—are so different from the perpetual American Mardi Gras. 
Joe Klein, Time, 29 Aug. 2005 Because Hunter had been a perpetual Peter Pan, accepting the bleak reality of his death came hard. Douglas Brinkley, Rolling Stone, 22 Sept. 2005 He's addicted to the perpetual flux of the information networks. He craves his next data fix. He's a speed freak, an info junkie. David Brooks, Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2001 Only after I had built to the emotional peroration culminating in the word "astonishing" was I at last sufficiently unastonished by the force of my feelings to be able to put together a couple of hours of sleep—or something resembling sleep, for, even half out of it, I was a biography in perpetual motion, memory to the marrow of my bones. Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 The region is in a state of perpetual war. He seems to have a perpetual grin on his face. the perpetual demands of parenthood See More
Joe Klein, Time, 29 Aug. 2005 Because Hunter had been a perpetual Peter Pan, accepting the bleak reality of his death came hard. Douglas Brinkley, Rolling Stone, 22 Sept. 2005 He's addicted to the perpetual flux of the information networks. He craves his next data fix. He's a speed freak, an info junkie. David Brooks, Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2001 Only after I had built to the emotional peroration culminating in the word "astonishing" was I at last sufficiently unastonished by the force of my feelings to be able to put together a couple of hours of sleep—or something resembling sleep, for, even half out of it, I was a biography in perpetual motion, memory to the marrow of my bones. Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 The region is in a state of perpetual war. He seems to have a perpetual grin on his face. the perpetual demands of parenthood See More Recent Examples on the Web Due to forced and perpetual migration, language and cultural barriers, and lack of funds, many like me have to go out on individual expeditions to reconnect with our root homes. Marjua Estevez, refinery29.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Similar to their intake process, the perpetual care program allows seniors to pre-register their animals with the organization. Fox News, 13 Aug. 2022 Childhood friendship can be a time of innocence, enchantment and perpetual excitement as portrayed in Sophia Silver’s modest yet assured debut feature, Over/Under. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 June 2022 Forgetfulness, however, is just one aspect of my perpetual sunglasses battle. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 6 June 2022 There is an escape that leads to failure during the attempt, and there are variations of escape that are more so successful yet lead to short-lived versus longstanding or perpetual freedom. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 May 2022 This veteran writer is always amazed at how the overwhelming share of Wall Street guests on TV business shows adopt the role of perpetual, cockeyed optimists. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2022 Not long ago, the Dons were mired in near-perpetual mediocrity. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2022 The majority of couples’ problems don’t have a ready solution, but are what’s known as perpetual. Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2022 See More
Marjua Estevez, refinery29.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Similar to their intake process, the perpetual care program allows seniors to pre-register their animals with the organization. Fox News, 13 Aug. 2022 Childhood friendship can be a time of innocence, enchantment and perpetual excitement as portrayed in Sophia Silver’s modest yet assured debut feature, Over/Under. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 June 2022 Forgetfulness, however, is just one aspect of my perpetual sunglasses battle. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 6 June 2022 There is an escape that leads to failure during the attempt, and there are variations of escape that are more so successful yet lead to short-lived versus longstanding or perpetual freedom. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 May 2022 This veteran writer is always amazed at how the overwhelming share of Wall Street guests on TV business shows adopt the role of perpetual, cockeyed optimists. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2022 Not long ago, the Dons were mired in near-perpetual mediocrity. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2022 The majority of couples’ problems don’t have a ready solution, but are what’s known as perpetual. Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English perpetuel, from Anglo-French, from Latin perpetuus uninterrupted, from per- through + petere to go to — more at feather
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing perpetual
Kids Definition
perpetual
adjective
per·pet·u·al pər-ˈpe-chə-wəl
1
: lasting forever or for a very long time
a perpetual memorial
2
: occurring continually : constant
perpetual arguments
perpetual
adjective
1
as in continuous
going on and on without any interruptions the perpetual rise and fall of the sea Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- continuous
- continual
- continued
- continuing
- incessant
- nonstop
- constant
- uninterrupted
- unceasing
- unremitting
- ceaseless
- unbroken
- running
- permanent
- eternal
- persistent
- unending
- endless
- everlasting
- interminable
- enduring
- deathless
- lasting
- steady
- immortal
- undying
- unchanging
- unvarying
- changeless
- durable
- indestructible
- stable
- imperishable
- dateless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- periodic
- recurrent
- discontinuous
- intermittent
- seasonal
- periodical
- occasional
- cyclical
- serial
- cyclic
- recurring
- alternate
- rhythmic
- noncontinuous
- sporadic
- rhythmical
- spasmodic
- irregular
- erratic
- alternating
- unsteady
- spotty
- fitful
2
as in eternal
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish freedom of religion is a perpetual right that is guaranteed by the nation's constitution Synonyms & Similar Words
- eternal
- ongoing
- enduring
- continuing
- immortal
- perennial
- constant
- everlasting
- lasting
- endless
- permanent
- abiding
- undying
- timeless
- ageless
- ceaseless
- imperishable
- unchanging
- dateless
- unvarying
- changeless
- stationary
- steady
- stable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obsolete
- archaic
- antiquated
- outmoded
- outworn
- outdated
- dated
- passé
- out-of-date
3
as in endless
lasting forever an immature jerk who seemed to be in a state of perpetual adolescence Synonyms & Similar Words
- eternal
- endless
- immortal
- permanent
- unending
- everlasting
- ceaseless
- deathless
- undying
- continuous
- lasting
- enduring
- durable
- continual
- persistent
- continuing
- uninterrupted
- incessant
- unbroken
- stubborn
- unceasing
- dateless
- steadfast
- indestructible
- indefeasible
- abiding
- timeless
- indelible
- unremitting
- indissoluble
- standing
- stable
- imperishable
- unfailing
- indefectible
- long-lived
- unfaltering
- steady
- inexpungible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- temporary
- transient
- momentary
- mortal
- transitory
- ephemeral
- impermanent
- fleeting
- evanescent
- passing
- fugitive
- fugacious
- interim
- provisional
- short-lived
- short-term
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of perpetual are constant, continual, continuous, incessant, and perennial. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.
a land of perpetual snowfall
The words constant and perpetual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.
lived in constant pain
While the synonyms continual and perpetual are close in meaning, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.
continual showers the whole weekend
While in some cases nearly identical to perpetual, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.
football's oldest continuous rivalry
In some situations, the words incessant and perpetual are roughly equivalent. However, incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.
annoyed by the incessant quarreling
The synonyms perennial and perpetual are sometimes interchangeable, but perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.
a perennial source of controversy