persist

American  

[per-sist, -zist] / pərˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

verb (used without object)

1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc..

   to persist in working for world peace;

   to persist in unpopular political activities.

2. to last or endure tenaciously.

   The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.

3. to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.

   Synonyms:

   insist

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verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to cause (a record, configuration, value, etc.) to be written to permanent storage by the scripted process that created it, so that it continues to exist in the same state after the script has finished running.

persist British  

/ pəˈsɪst /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to continue steadfastly or obstinately despite opposition or difficulty

2. to continue to exist or occur without interruption

   the rain persisted throughout the night

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Related Words

See continue.

Other Word Forms

• nonpersisting adjective
• persister noun
• persistingly adverb
• persistive adjective
• persistively adverb
• persistiveness noun
• unpersisting adjective

Etymology

Origin of persist

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin persistere, literally, “to stand firm permanently,” equivalent to per- per- ( def. ) + sistere “to (cause to) stand,” akin to stāre “to stand ( def. ) ”

Example Sentences

These forecasts factor in higher average selling prices and margins across key products and assume supply disruptions will persist through the year-end.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their goal was to identify biological mechanisms that could explain why symptoms persist.

From Science Daily

The hit would come if energy market disruptions persist for more than a year, underscoring the region’s exposure to higher oil prices, supply-chain strains and tighter financial conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The forecast comes as UK clothing retailer Next warned it was likely to have to raise prices for customers if the Iran war persists.

From BBC

“If the conflict persists, the costs are likely to be reflected in higher prices to consumers and disruption to our supply chain, both of which are likely to suppress sales,” the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carry on
• carry over
• continue
• endure
• go on
• linger
• persevere
• prevail
• pursue
• recur
• remain