persist

American  

[per-sist, -zist] / pərˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

verb (used without object)

1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc..

   to persist in working for world peace;

   to persist in unpopular political activities.

2. to last or endure tenaciously.

   The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.

3. to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.

   Synonyms:

   insist

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verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to cause (a record, configuration, value, etc.) to be written to permanent storage by the scripted process that created it, so that it continues to exist in the same state after the script has finished running.

persist British  

/ pəˈsɪst /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to continue steadfastly or obstinately despite opposition or difficulty

2. to continue to exist or occur without interruption

   the rain persisted throughout the night

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Synonym Usage

See continue.

Other Word Forms

• nonpersisting
  adjective
• persister
  noun
• persistingly
  adverb
• persistive
  adjective
• persistively
  adverb
• persistiveness
  noun
• unpersisting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of persist

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin persistere, literally, “to stand firm permanently,” equivalent to per- per- ( def. ) + sistere “to (cause to) stand,” akin to stāre “to stand ( def. ) ”

Explanation

When someone persists they keep going or hang on. If you want to finish a marathon, you have to persist and keep running, no matter how many blisters you have. The great Roman poet Ovid once advised: “Endure and persist, this pain will turn good by and by.” As Ovid’s quote hints at, persistence is often associated with hardship and the reward that comes with not backing down. Synonyms include endure, follow through, and persevere, while antonyms include cease and give up.

Example Sentences

“I think it’s possible that if fuel prices persist at this level, you may see some upward pressure on average unit retail prices.”

From MarketWatch • May 25, 2026

“Even if the strait reopens soon, some of the effects on energy prices and monetary policy will persist for a bit,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

"I think it's possible that if fuel prices persist at this level, you may see some upward pressure on average retail prices," Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said on a conference call with analysts.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

"Competing regional manufacturing markets could benefit if concerns over predictability and continuity persist."

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Genes and brains and books encode information differently and persist through time at different rates.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• carry on
• carry over
• continue
• endure
• go on
• linger
• persevere
• prevail
• pursue
• recur
• remain