persevere

[pur-suh-veer]

See more synonyms for persevere on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.

to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.

verb (used with object), per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.

to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

Origin of persevere

1325–75; Middle English perseveren < Middle French perseverer < Latin persevērāre to persist, derivative of persevērus very strict. See per-, severe

Synonym study

1. See continue.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for persevere

proceed, pursue, endure, persist, remain, continue, maintain

Examples from the Web for persevere

Contemporary Examples of persevere

There have been many struggles, trials, battles, and losses through which my name has helped me persevere.
Uzo Aduba: My Road to ‘Orange Is the New Black’
Uzoamaka Aduba
August 4, 2014
She writes of the struggles, battles, and losses through which her name has helped her persevere—to the role that made her famous.
Uzo Aduba: My Road to ‘Orange Is the New Black’
Uzoamaka Aduba
August 4, 2014
I wrote about the motivations of businessmen, and their determination to persevere.
Not the Story You Were Expecting from Lebanon
Cathy Huyghe
October 9, 2013
“The secret of her success and survival is her enormous ability to persevere,” Grubman says.
How Martha Stewart Got Her Groove Back
Lloyd Grove
March 8, 2013
As the genre continues to fall apart, can it persevere to be the last soap standing?
‘General Hospital’ Fights Back!
Maria Elena Fernandez
February 22, 2012

Historical Examples of persevere

It seemed, however, as if mysterious whispers encouraged her to persevere.
The Dream
Emile Zola
Overhears her brother and sister encourage Solmes to persevere in his address.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
While that hope is encouraged by so many worthy friends, I must persevere.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
He now stood obstinately resolved to persevere in his iniquity.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Persevere as you have begun, and, trust me, you will be happy.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for persevere

persevere

verb

(intr often foll by in) to show perseverance

Derived Formspersevering, adjectiveperseveringly, adverb

Word Origin for persevere

C14: from Old French perseverer, from Latin persevērāre, from perseverus very strict; see severe

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

Word Origin and History for persevere

mid-14c., from Old French perseverer "continue, persevere, endure" and directly from Latin perseverare "continue steadfastly, persist," from persevereus "very strict, earnest," from per- "very" (see per) + severus "strict" (see severity). Related: Persevered; persevering.