persist
verb (used without object)
to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc..
had persisted
-
past perfectof persist.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After a downturn that had persisted for the past three years, executives from trucking firms like Old Dominion and J.B.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026
Those reporting pain also indicated whether symptoms had persisted for more than three months.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 17, 2025
Following a brief spell of weak La Nina conditions between December 2024 to March this year, neutral conditions had persisted, but the US National Weather Service declared Thursday La Nina was back.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2025
If the windy conditions had persisted longer, Lorenzen thinks it could have been much worse.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2024
Despite earlier promises to cease this practice, Hamilton had persisted.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
