persistent

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-]

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.

persistent

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• persistently adverb
• nonpersistent adjective
• nonpersistently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of persistent¹

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

Synonym Study

See stubborn.

Example Sentences

She is encouraging women to be persistent until they're listened to.

From BBC

It is the persistent critique that there has long been a lack of definition about the government's direction.

From BBC

A survey, external released on Wednesday by Women in Football said that discrimination for women working in the game was "persistent and widespread".

From BBC

Labour was elected last year promising new "respect orders" to ban similarly persistent offenders from town centres.

From BBC

A weakening labour market, combined with persistent home affordability challenges, could keep the housing market in a state of paralysis.

From BBC

Related Words

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