persist

verb

per·​sist pər-ˈsist  -ˈzist 

persisted; persisting; persists

intransitive verb

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 (such as a question or an opinion)

4

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

persister noun

Synonyms

• persevere

Choose the Right Synonym for persist

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely.

continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

Examples of persist in a Sentence

She had turned him down for a date before, but he persisted and asked her again.

The reporter persisted with his questioning.

If you persist with this behavior, you will be punished.

Must you persist in making that noise?

If the pain persists, see a doctor.

Doubts about the defendant's story have persisted for some time now.

Rumors persist that they are dating.

Recent Examples on the Web

If stains persist, repeat the steps above before the item is dried. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2025

Sectoral carve-outs persist, but with the EU now facing a 15% tariff on most exports to the U.S.—lower than originally proposed, but still a significant rise—UBS expects direct pressure on prices for automobiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and more. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025

In the decades since, concerns about nuclear power and radioactive waste disposal have persisted — and so has coal power, which, despite its decline in recent years, still makes up more than half of Kentucky's electricity generation. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025

Concerns also persist within Côte d’Ivoire’s business elite. —Joël Té-Léssia Assoko, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• resist

Kids Definition

persist

verb

per·​sist pər-ˈsist  -ˈzist 

1

: to continue to do something in spite of opposition, warnings, or pleas : persevere

2

: to last on and on : continue to exist

persister noun