persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsi-stənt 
-ˈzi-
1
: existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such as
a
: retained beyond the usual period
a persistent leaf
b
: continuing without change in function or structure
persistent gills
c
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
d
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
e
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
a
: continuing or inclined to persist in a course
b
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
persistently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of persistent in a Sentence
Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Recent Examples on the Web
The delay in the council’s formation and the persistent doubts about its viability are slowing down other initiatives.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Economists blamed this wage-price spiral for persistent inflation and economic stagnation in Western economies in the 1970s, and worries about this happening again persist in many countries.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 1 Apr. 2024
Investors have warned that signs of persistent inflation could derail the interest rate cut in June or July that many traders are anticipating.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
He had been arraigned in a Manhattan court in what prosecutors said was a blatant, persistent scheme to take ownership of the once-grand New Yorker Hotel in Midtown.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Empty office buildings remain one of the most persistent legacies of the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
Those with unresolved persistent symptoms — such as fatigue and shortness of breath — had a six-point loss in IQ, while people who had been admitted to the intensive care unit for COVID had a nine-point decrease.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
To some degree, Trump's win in 2020 and again in this past week's Ohio primary simply demonstrated his persistent appeal in the state.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Economists blamed this wage-price spiral for persistent inflation and economic stagnation in Western economies in the 1970s, and worries about this happening again persist in many countries.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 1 Apr. 2024
Investors have warned that signs of persistent inflation could derail the interest rate cut in June or July that many traders are anticipating.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
He had been arraigned in a Manhattan court in what prosecutors said was a blatant, persistent scheme to take ownership of the once-grand New Yorker Hotel in Midtown.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Empty office buildings remain one of the most persistent legacies of the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
Those with unresolved persistent symptoms — such as fatigue and shortness of breath — had a six-point loss in IQ, while people who had been admitted to the intensive care unit for COVID had a nine-point decrease.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
To some degree, Trump's win in 2020 and again in this past week's Ohio primary simply demonstrated his persistent appeal in the state.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persistent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near persistent
Cite this Entry
“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persistent. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsis-tənt
-ˈzis-
1
: continuing, existing, or acting for a long or longer than usual time
a persistent cold
persistent gills
2
: stubbornly determined
persistently
adverb
Medical Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
-tənt
1
: existing or continuing for a long time: as
a
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
b
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
c
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
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