persist

[per-sist, -zist]

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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of persist¹

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. ) ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of persist¹

C16: from Latin persistere, from per- (intensive) + sistere to stand steadfast, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See continue.

Example Sentences

BEIJING—Under intense pressure from authorities in China, Ezra Jin persisted for years in building one of the nation’s largest underground Christian churches, with branches in 40 cities across the country.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This time, however, is unique: There are warning augurs of fissures for the economy, inflation is persisting and markets are on edge.

Read more on MarketWatch

At a global level, cautious optimism persists with modest equity gains expected at the local, international and U.S. levels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once the government reopens, delays of other reports, including the wholesale inflation gauge, Producer Price Index, could persist because staff will likely need time to restart the collection and assessment process.

Read more on Barron's

While the disease rarely causes death, it can result in long-term arthritis-like symptoms, fatigue, and recurring pain that persist for weeks or even months after recovery.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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