continually
- 1In a pattern of regular or repeated occurrence; happening again and again, very often.
Commuters continually complain about delays on the morning trains.
The software continually prompts users to update, sometimes several times a day.
Similarconstantly, repeatedly, always, frequently, regularly
Oppositeoccasionally, rarely, seldom, infrequently
- 2In a continuous manner, without stopping or interruption at any point.
The generators ran continually during the blackout, never once shutting down.
Sensors monitor the bridge continually, streaming data to engineers around the clock.
Similarcontinuously, constantly, nonstop, incessantly, uninterruptedly
Oppositeintermittently, sporadically
Note
Here careful writers sometimes push back. Some usage guides object to continually for unbroken action. They reserve it for the "again and again" meaning and leave continuously for what never stops. The objection is not universal, so "the generators ran continually" is not wrong. In technical or formal writing, though, continuously removes any doubt about whether there were pauses, while continually invites the reader to imagine gaps.
Practice
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Origin
Formed from "continual" combined with the suffix "-ly".