Definition of permanentnext

permanent

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective permanent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of permanent are durable, lasting, and stable. While all these words mean "enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established," permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

When is it sensible to use durable instead of permanent?

Although the words durable and permanent have much in common, durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

When would lasting be a good substitute for permanent?

The words lasting and permanent can be used in similar contexts, but lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

When is stable a more appropriate choice than permanent?

The meanings of stable and permanent largely overlap; however, stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

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 permanent
Adjective
But there’s a second value sitting inside every permanent policy that the carrier who wrote it has no interest in mentioning. — Rob Haynie, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The proposition’s opponents, which include the California Taxpayers Association and the Family Business Association of California, say making the tax permanent would reduce politicians’ motivation to prevent waste, fraud and overspending. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
While Republicans made the tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, these minor tax cuts for a few ordinary Americans are short-lived. — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025 If hotness is an effort to make the ephemeral permanent, then illness is a constant reminder of how nothing is forever. — Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, 26 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for permanent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permanent
Adjective
  • And for the hope-springs-eternal crowd, there's Jacob Rodriguez.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • That inner turmoil is all over Faith, which is why the album remains an eternal worldwide pop obsession.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With her toadstool-like jet-black perm and dark red lipstick, Haru is a striking presence, the sensuousness of her moves conveying both longing and sorrow.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Between the football, the success and the fashionable perm, that was the kind of popularity that Machtig Maus (Mighty Mouse) had.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • Novelist and screenwriter Anne Rice led the charge against Cruise’s casting as Lestat de Lioncourt, a French theater actor in the 1700s who’d already become an immortal vampire by the time he’s introduced.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Significant church figures like Thomas Aquinas and the philosopher René Descartes have argued that animals don’t have an immortal soul.
    — Casper ter Kuile, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Fungal problems are common and some produce the mushroom growths called conks along limbs.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
  • The conk, the afro… and the jheri curl.
    — Sonari Glinton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The resort lends itself to rest and relaxation, but teenagers could certainly keep themselves busy with the endless activities on offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers seemingly endless options to choose from, including some of our top picks below.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But when Ortega arrived for his standing haircut this week, the shop was still closed.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Leave it to Hilton to always inspire me ahead of my next haircut.
    — Lena Raab, Glamour, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The next step is to find out whether the perpetual sensor concept actually works in practice.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • On Polymarket, 24-hour trading volume traded is about three-quarters of open interest on its ether perpetual futures, and on industry leader Hyperliquid, 24-hour trading volume is just one third of open interest as of Wednesday morning.
    — Davis Giangiulio,Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The designer is known for experimenting with hairstyles and in May, appeared at the Met Gala platinum blonde hair that was pulled back into an effortless style with face-framing pieces.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For beauty, Tyla went with a sweeping straight hairstyle with cornrows and modeled a pink manicure.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permanent. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!