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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Related Words

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

Most of the impacts appear in the early stages of a project, during transmission line construction, but some persist during operation, the researchers found.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

Lifting silverware would undoubtedly delight supporters, but concerns over a troubled campaign and anger towards the Clearlake-Boehly ownership group will likely persist.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The U.K.’s economy expanded at a faster pace in the first quarter of the year, but that resilience is set to be severely tested as the effects of the conflict in the Middle East persist.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Rieder added that “tension” in the bond market “will persist for some time” due to “a macro environment clouded by supply-side inflation and policy uncertainty.”

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Will the trends that have reinforced class lines while papering over the distinctions persist?

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

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