perseverance
noun
per·se·ver·ance
ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s 
: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness
His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.
The road to the American dream was supposed to be built on perseverance and hard work.—
Ms. Guzman
Ms. GuzmanAaliyah and her artistry live on as a symbol of perseverance.—Julian Kimble
Julian KimbleExamples of perseverance in a Sentence
The great international collectors and curators, once celebrated for their perceptiveness and perseverance, are now regularly deplored as traffickers in, or receivers of, stolen goods.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Review of Books, 9 Feb. 2006
… a cavalcade of black and brown and female faces spinning stories of hardship and triumph through perseverance.
—Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 14 Aug. 2000
… he had no-nonsense coaches with hearts of gold who taught him discipline; he learned perseverance from a father who sent him back out to fight after he took a licking …
—Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 14 Dec. 1998
His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.
Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Review of Books, 9 Feb. 2006
… a cavalcade of black and brown and female faces spinning stories of hardship and triumph through perseverance.
—Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 14 Aug. 2000
… he had no-nonsense coaches with hearts of gold who taught him discipline; he learned perseverance from a father who sent him back out to fight after he took a licking …
—Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 14 Dec. 1998
His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job.
Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brunson offered up a story of perseverance and strength as the former second-round pick who became one of the best players in the league.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This might have been the ultimate display of perseverance by Riley, the Arisons and the Heat brain trust.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026
Koi ponds resemble perseverance, good fortune, strength, and transformation.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 17 June 2026
The show features timeless works from influential artists whose songs have long served as anthems for social change and perseverance.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perseverance
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Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This might have been the ultimate display of perseverance by Riley, the Arisons and the Heat brain trust.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026
Koi ponds resemble perseverance, good fortune, strength, and transformation.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 17 June 2026
The show features timeless works from influential artists whose songs have long served as anthems for social change and perseverance.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perseverance
Cite this Entry
“Perseverance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perseverance
noun
per·se·ver·ance
ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s
: the action, state, or an instance of persevering
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