persistent

American  

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-] / pərˈsɪs tənt, -ˈzɪs- /

adjective

1. persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering.

   a most annoyingly persistent young man.

   Synonyms:

   tenacious, pertinacious, indefatigable

2. lasting or enduring tenaciously.

   the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.

3. constantly repeated; continued.

   persistent noise.

   Synonyms:

   steady, constant

   Antonyms:

   sporadic

4. Biology.

   1. continuing or permanent.

   2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.

5. Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

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persistent British  

/ pəˈsɪstənt /

adjective

1. showing persistence

2. incessantly repeated; unrelenting

   your persistent questioning

3. (of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering

   a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth

4. zoology

   1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult

      persistent gills in axolotls

   2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth

      persistent teeth

5. (of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable

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Synonym Usage

See stubborn.

Other Word Forms

• nonpersistent
  adjective
• nonpersistently
  adverb
• persistently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of persistent

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns ), present participle of persistere “to stand firm, persist”; see persist, -ent

Explanation

If something is persistent, it just won't stop. If you're persistent in your suggestions for a trip to Mexico, maybe your parents will eventually give in and take you there. Persistent comes from the Latin verb persistere which means "to continue with strength." A persistent salesman refuses to give up. A persistent ringing sound is one that repeats and repeats. Persistent rumors keep circulating, as does a persistent virus. Often something persistent is annoying. The related verb is persist, which means to continue to exist, or to go without stopping.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

persistent

But he’s naturally persistent, and out of that grew the corruption, fearmongering and boundless anger — all driven by his superpower.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

After more than a decade, the US-led coalition is ending its mission in Iraq, having helped save the country from jihadists while causing persistent friction.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

However, it cautioned that freight rates are volatile and that given the current persistent geopolitical challenges, the outlook is subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

“While monetary policy cannot move ships or reopen pipelines and refineries, it can diminish the risk that these supply shocks spill over into broader and more persistent inflation,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

The streets were deserted under the persistent rain and the houses locked up with no trace of life inside.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• constant
• continual
• endless
• enduring
• incessant
• insistent
• perpetual
• relentless
• repeated
• resolute
• steadfast
• steady
• stubborn
• tenacious
• unrelenting
• unremitting