incessant

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈse-sᵊnt How to pronounce incessant (audio)
Definition of incessantnext
as in continuous
going on and on without any interruptions the incessant noise from an outside repair crew was a real distraction during the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of incessant are constant, continual, continuous, perennial, and perpetual. While all these words mean "characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence," incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

When can constant be used instead of incessant?

In some situations, the words constant and incessant are roughly equivalent. However, constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

When could continual be used to replace incessant?

The words continual and incessant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

When is it sensible to use continuous instead of incessant?

Although the words continuous and incessant have much in common, continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

Where would perennial be a reasonable alternative to incessant?

While the synonyms perennial and incessant are close in meaning, perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

When would perpetual be a good substitute for incessant?

The words perpetual and incessant can be used in similar contexts, but 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 incessant As of Tuesday, my phone was still receiving incessant notifications from a ticket app, which claims to have plenty of options left for Boston’s first baseball weekend of the year. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2025 Such stuff might also have new life via TikTok or YouTube, and have appeal to a new group of people who have been turned off by incessant and dour reports of increasingly harsh weather, backsliding democracy and overseas war. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025 The special forces then made up a makeshift stretcher to carry the soldier away, dodging mines and the incessant boom of artillery fire. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025 The incessant supply from China enabled Ukraine to fight a war of asymmetry against a much stronger enemy. —Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incessant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incessant
  1. continuous
  2. continual
  3. continued
  4. continuing
  5. nonstop
Adjective
  • Asawa is best known for creating a continuous form within a form, but there are a variety of bulbs, gourd-like shapes and spirals.
    — Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Microsoft exemplifies this approach through continuous investment in global data centers, quantum computing research, and advanced cloud architecture—even when Wall Street analysts pressured for higher short-term returns.
    — Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of continuous
Adjective
  • Short wars are fought with whatever resources are available at the time; long wars require the development of capabilities that are geared to changing operational imperatives, as demonstrated by the continual transformation of drone warfare in Ukraine.
    — Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With continual breaking headlines about romance scams and serial catfishers, people are becoming more cautious online, calling for better security and authenticity guardrails.
    — Quora, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of continual
Adjective
  • Eyal’s optimism is backed by checks by his firm that indicated continued strength in demand, with CYBR’s effort to expand its platform away from its core privileged access management gaining traction among customers.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The state has also seen a freeze in funding from the USDA for its continued non-compliance.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of continued
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
  • Cape Town is now serviced by three nonstop flights from the U.S. Popular day trips from the city include seeing the bucolic wineries of Stellenbosch, the African penguin colony in Simon’s Town, and the Big Five at Aquila Game Reserve.
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The nonstop route to Cancun will take Kansas City passengers to Cancun International Airport on Saturdays only from Dec. 20 through April 12, 2026.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of nonstop

Browse Nearby Words

incertitudes
incessant
incessantly
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Cite this Entry

“Incessant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incessant. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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