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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Related Words

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”; persist, -ent

Example Sentences

Silver prices climbed to all-time highs on Monday, as expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further this month and persistent concerns over global supply tightness sparked a fresh rally.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We expect 2026 to be defined by elevated T-bill issuance and steady coupon supply, driven by persistent large deficits and volatile tariff revenues,” the strategists say.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are persistent pollutants, meaning they don't degrade easily and instead build up in the environment.

From BBC

But now auto tariffs, persistent inflation and a tighter job market have more Americans rethinking their biggest-ticket purchases.

From The Wall Street Journal

A medical report, posted by Aspinall on his Instagram account, external, shows he has been diagnosed with "significant traumatic bilateral Brown's syndrome" and still suffering from "persistent" double vision.

From BBC

Related Words

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