persist

per·sist

intransitive verb \pər-ˈsist, -ˈzist\

Definition of PERSIST

1

: to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning

2

obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position

3

: to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question or an opinion)

4

: to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time

— per·sist·er noun

Examples of PERSIST

1. She had turned him down for a date before, but he persisted and asked her again.
2. The reporter persisted with his questioning.
3. If you persist with this behavior, you will be punished.
4. Must you persist in making that noise?
5. If the pain persists, see a doctor.
6. Doubts about the defendant's story have persisted for some time now.
7. Rumors persist that they are dating.

Origin of PERSIST

Middle French persister, from Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 1538

Related to PERSIST

Synonyms

carry on, persevere

Antonyms

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words

dig in, hang on, keep up; follow through (with); knuckle down

Near Antonyms

give up, knock off, quit; bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield; falter, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

See Synonym Discussion at continue

Rhymes with PERSIST

A-list, assist, backlist, blacklist, B-list, checklist, consist, dean's list, delist, desist, encyst, enlist, entwist, exist, handlist, hit list, insist, life list, mailed fist, playlist, protist, Rehnquist, resist, short list, short-list, subsist, untwist, wait-list, white list, wish list