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

The affair persisted for decades—even as both men worked to oust Chamberlain and install Churchill as the United Kingdom’s leader in 1940.

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Meanwhile, deflation persists, consumption is weak and the property sector has shown no signs of stabilization.

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Mamdani said the high number of homeless students began when Cuomo was New York’s governor and persisted throughout his time in office.

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As the ongoing government shutdown persists, economists are growing increasingly worried that its consequences could become more severe.

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As the closure of federal agencies persists, economists are growing increasingly worried that its consequences could become more severe.

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Related Words

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