persistent

per·sis·tent

adjective \pər-ˈsis-tənt, -ˈzis-\

Definition of PERSISTENT

1

: existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: 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 infective 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(see persist)

b : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment <a persistent cough> <has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years>

— per·sis·tent·ly adverb

Examples of PERSISTENT

1. We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
2. He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
3. She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
4. He has been fighting a persistent cold.
5. Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
6. Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
7. Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
8. 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
9. 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

Origin of PERSISTENT

Latin persistent-, persistens, present participle of persistere (see persist)

First Known Use: 1826

Related to PERSISTENT

Synonyms

dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, pertinacious, tenacious

Related Words

assured, certain, dedicated, determined, firm, hell-bent, intent, positive, resolute, resolved, single-minded, sure; adamant, bullheaded, dogged, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, implacable, indurate, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unregenerate, unyielding, willful (or wilful); unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering; resistant, wayward, wrongheaded; constant, devoted, faithful, good, loyal, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, steady, true; indomitable, unconquerable; hard, inflexible, relentless, stern, unbending, unflinching, unrelenting

Near Antonyms

quitting, surrendering, yielding; faltering, hesitant, hesitating, irresolute, vacillating, wavering; disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, traitorous, treacherous

Rhymes with PERSISTENT

assistant, consistent, existent, insistent, resistant, subsistent

per·sis·tent

adjective \-tənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PERSISTENT

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 infective 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>