persistent

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-]

adjective

1. persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering.

   a most annoyingly persistent young man.

   Synonyms: tenacious, pertinacious, indefatigable

2. lasting or enduring tenaciously.

   the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.

3. constantly repeated; continued.

   persistent noise.

   Synonyms: steady, constant
   Antonyms: sporadic

4. Biology.

   1. continuing or permanent.

   2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.

5. Botany.,  remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

persistent

/ pəˈsɪstənt /

adjective

1. showing persistence

2. incessantly repeated; unrelenting

   your persistent questioning

3. (of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering

   a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth

4. zoology

   1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult

      persistent gills in axolotls

   2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth

      persistent teeth

5. (of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable

Other Word Forms

• persistently adverb
• nonpersistent adjective
• nonpersistently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of persistent¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns ), present participle of persistere “to stand firm, persist”; persist, -ent

Synonym Study

See stubborn.

Example Sentences

In several high-lying inhabited areas, however, the persistent rains washed away mountain sides that spilled downhill as landslides.

Read more on Barron's

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries left its oil-demand forecasts steady as it works to revive more production, but pointed to fiscal concerns and persistent trade uncertainties.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The world's second-largest economy has in recent years been mired in a persistent domestic spending slump just as pressure on its export-reliant manufacturing sector intensifies.

Read more on Barron's

Considering the persistent failures of the United Nations, it is nearly unimaginable that U.N. bodies could have effectively managed nuclear-weapons technology.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The SNP's political opponents would point to persistent long waits on the NHS, cuts to college budgets and the emergency release of prisoners from overcrowded jails as evidence of failure.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• constant 
• continual 
• endless 
• enduring 
• incessant 
• insistent 
• perpetual 
• relentless 
• repeated 
• resolute 
• steadfast 
• steady 
• stubborn 
• tenacious 
• unrelenting 
• unremitting