continent 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-tə-nənt How to pronounce continent (audio)
Definition of continentnext
as in mainland
one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

continent

2 of 2

adjective

ˈkän-tə-nənt How to pronounce continent (audio)
as in temperate
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 continent
Noun
Disney Theatrical Group’s shows and experiences draw close to 40 million visitors each year in 300 cities across five continents. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 Astrotourism continues to be one of the world’s leading trends, and many travelers make big plans to cross oceans and continents just to experience auroras, meteor showers, and some of the darkest night skies in the world. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 Europeans increasingly wonder whether the world’s fastest warming continent is adapting to climate change fast enough. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 Thank the thousands of 911 buyers on this continent who specced their cars with stick shifts at rates far higher than Europe this decade. — Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for continent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continent
  1. mainland
  2. temperate
  3. ascetic
  4. abstemious
  5. abstinent
Noun
  • Within days of the initial border rush, in which at least 90 people died, most migrants went back to Morocco, realizing the difficulties of staying in Ceuta and their slim chances of reaching mainland Europe.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Two British newlyweds, Alexander Cromie, 31, and Marie Ebert, 30, were traveling from the Greek mainland to the island of Sifnos and had elected to splurge on bespoke travel by helicopter.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of mainland
Adjective
  • The French Open, as English speakers tend to call it, takes place during a traditionally splendid time of the year, when Parisians delight in the temperate air.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • While hibiscus flowers might look tropical—and many varieties thrive in tropical climates—countless other hibiscus varieties grow well in temperate climates.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of temperate
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.
    — Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
  • His first term now looks practically abstemious.
    — Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of abstemious
Adjective
  • Not everybody needs to spend the rest of their life totally abstinent with a cup of shitty coffee in a Styrofoam cup regurgitating platitudes.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • One of the sacrifices Dolan mentioned in his speech was staying abstinent.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of abstinent

Browse Nearby Words

continence
continent
continental
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Cite this Entry

“Continent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continent. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on continent

Nglish: Translation of continent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about continent

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