incessant

[in-ses-uhnt]

adjective

1. continuing without interruption; unending; ceaseless.

   an incessant noise.

   Synonyms: unremitting, unrelenting, eternal, perpetual, never-ending, continuous, constant, unceasing
   Antonyms: intermittent

incessant

/ ɪnˈsɛsənt /

adjective

1. not ceasing; continual

Other Word Forms

• incessancy noun
• incessantness noun
• incessantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incessant¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English incessaunte, from Late Latin incessant-, equivalent to Latin in- negative prefix + cessant- (stem of cessāns ), present participle of cessāre “to stop work”; in- ³, cease, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of incessant¹

C16: from Late Latin incessāns, from Latin _in- ¹ + cessāre to _cease

Example Sentences

John Rothenstein, the director of the Tate in London, was so upset by Cooper’s incessant verbal assaults that he punched Cooper in the face.

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The incessant fighting in el-Fasher has forced most health facilities to shut.

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It would be impossible to shield them from "incessant discussion of the case in the media, online, in public spaces - even in the schoolyard", he added.

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The incessant volleys of accusations from both countries make any progress on their border dispute unlikely.

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On Wednesday, heavy and incessant rains continued to lash the region, further complicating rescue efforts.

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Related Words

• ceaseless 
• constant 
• continual 
• continuous 
• endless 
• interminable 
• nonstop 
• perpetual 
• relentless 
• round-the-clock 
• unceasing 
• unending 
• unrelenting 
• unremitting