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

Derived Forms

• inˈcessantly, adverb
• inˈcessancy, noun

Other Words From

• in·ces·san·cy in·ces·sant·ness noun
• in·ces·sant·ly 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

Despite the incessant buzz of drones and the drum line of occasional explosions, for those determined to stay out of the fight between the Iran-backed Shiite militant group and Israel, it’s the “war over there.”

From Los Angeles Times

From there things just keep happening, as one event unfolds into another in a headlong rush amid the incessant clatter of plates and pans and the machine spitting out endless order tickets.

From Los Angeles Times

This announcement comes months after residents have pleaded for state and federal assistance amid escalating land movement that has ruined homes, required almost incessant roadway repairs and forced out utility providers.

From Los Angeles Times

But Donald Trump’s entry into presidential politics, with his incessant flights of fancy and nonstop lying, have completely changed the dynamics.

From Los Angeles Times

The result: a century of incessant conflict across France, Italy and Spain.

From Salon

Related Words

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