persevering

[pur-suh-veer-ing]

See more synonyms for persevering on Thesaurus.com

adjective

displaying perseverance; resolutely persistent; steadfast: a persevering student.

Origin of persevering

First recorded in 1640–50; persevere + -ing²

Related formsper·se·ver·ing·ly, adverbnon·per·se·ver·ing, adjective

persevere

[pur-suh-veer]

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 persevering

dogged, assiduous, indefatigable, indomitable, pertinacious, steadfast, stubborn, tenacious, untiring, unremitting

Examples from the Web for persevering

Contemporary Examples of persevering

Persevering on hearsay, spun and shifted from every possible angle, the narrator next describes Golovan—a brawny man, with a limp.
The Forgotten Russian: The Genius of Nikolai Leskov
Benjamin Lytal
April 10, 2013
And yet she chose to write her essay about giving up on ballet, rather than persevering once she'd tired of it.
How to Write a Winning Ivy League Essay
Kathleen Kingsbury
October 25, 2009

Historical Examples of persevering

Your temper, fortitude, and persevering affection, have now their just reward.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
He was, above all things, most persevering in the pursuit of facts.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
You might meet some persevering female who would propose marriage.
Kent Knowles: Quahaug
Joseph C. Lincoln
Versatile, yet persevering, he varied his pursuits, but he never abandoned any.
Great Men and Famous Women, Vol. 8 (of 8)
Various
Indeed, it was in pursuance of it I have been so persevering in my attempts to see you, madam.
Tony Butler
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for persevering

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 persevering

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.