perseverance

[ pur-suh-veer-uhns ]
See synonyms for: perseveranceperseverant on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

  2. Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Origin of perseverance

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English perseveraunce, from Middle French perseverance, from Latin persevērantia; see persevere, -ance

synonym study For perseverance

1. 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 words for perseverance

Other words from perseverance

  • per·se·ver·ant, adjective
  • non·per·se·ver·ance, noun

Words Nearby perseverance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use perseverance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perseverance

perseverance

/ (ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns) /


noun
  1. continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty; persistence

  2. Christianity persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death

Derived forms of perseverance

  • perseverant, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012