perseverance
Americannoun
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steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
- Synonyms:
- steadfastness, doggedness
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Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.
noun
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continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty; persistence
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Christianity persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death
Usage
What does perseverance mean? Perseverance is the quality of those who persevere—continue to do or try to achieve something despite difficulty or discouragement. A close synonym is persistence.Perseverance can also refer to the act of persevering, as in Only through hard work and perseverance will we be able to achieve our goal—it will not be easy. The word is typically used in a positive way to refer to the quality of someone who doesn’t give up no matter what. A person who keeps trying despite major challenges and setbacks is said to show perseverance.Example: You showed great perseverance by recovering from your injury to compete at an even higher level.
Related Words
Perseverance, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity imply resolute and unyielding holding on in following a course of action. Perseverance commonly suggests activity maintained in spite of difficulties or steadfast and long-continued application: Endurance and perseverance combined to win in the end. It is regularly used in a favorable sense. Persistence, which may be used in either a favorable or an unfavorable sense, implies unremitting (and sometimes annoying) perseverance: persistence in a belief; persistence in talking when others wish to study. Tenacity, with the original meaning of adhesiveness, as of glue, is a dogged and determined holding on. Whether used literally or figuratively it has favorable implications: a bulldog quality of tenacity; the tenacity of one's memory. Pertinacity, unlike its related word, is used chiefly in an unfavorable sense, that of overinsistent tenacity: the pertinacity of the social climber.
Other Word Forms
- nonperseverance noun
- perseverant adjective
Etymology
Origin of perseverance
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English perseveraunce, from Middle French perseverance, from Latin persevērantia; persevere, -ance
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.
Ms Morris said there was a lot of habitual technology-use and perseverance with a book might not have the same dopamine hit, but she added: "The paper book will always have its place."
From BBC
If Dent needed a template for perseverance amid high expectations as a transfer, he could find it in Clark.
From Los Angeles Times
This Taiwanese lady is a miracle of human dignity and perseverance.
From MarketWatch
The Times spoke to Gaines about the emotional journey he had making the film and capturing the “grit and perseverance” that made Scott a staple of journalism.
From Los Angeles Times
“It’s taken a lot of perseverance for the permitting,” he said.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
