constantly
11 synonyms for constantly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Happening all the time or very often; without stopping.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use constantly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
constantly changing
constantly complaining
almost constantly
Etymology
From constant + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Full origin of constantly →Frequently asked questions
What does “constantly” mean?
The word “constantly” means happening all the time or very often; without stopping. In plain terms, all the time, again and again, without a break.
How do you pronounce “constantly”?
“Constantly” is pronounced KONS-tuhnt-lee (/ˈkɑnstənʔli/ in IPA).
How do you use “constantly” in a sentence?
Here is “constantly” used in a sentence: “The phone rang constantly all afternoon.”
What is another word for “constantly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “constantly” include incessantly, nonstop, invariably and uniformly.
What part of speech is “constantly”?
“Constantly” is an adverb.
Is “constantly” a common word?
“Constantly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'constantly' and 'continuously'?
'Continuously' means without any break — a continuous sound never stops. 'Constantly' usually means very often or again and again, even if there are small gaps. A machine that hums continuously never falls silent; someone who constantly checks their phone does it repeatedly, not literally without pausing. The two are easy to confuse.
Does 'constantly' have a negative tone?
It often does, though not always. Because it stresses that something happens again and again without let-up, 'constantly' frequently describes annoyances — 'constantly complaining,' 'constantly interrupting.' It can be neutral or positive too, as in 'constantly improving,' but the sense of relentless repetition often carries a hint of impatience.
What is the difference between 'constantly' and 'frequently'?
It is a matter of degree. 'Frequently' means often, with clear gaps between occasions. 'Constantly' is stronger, suggesting something happens all the time or almost without stopping. A shop you visit frequently, you go to regularly; a child who is constantly hungry seems hungry nearly every waking moment.
