persistence

noun

per·​sis·​tence pər-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

-ˈzi-

1

: the action or fact of persisting

2

: the quality or state of being persistent

especially : perseverance

Synonyms of persistence

• continuation
• continuity
• continuance
• continuousness

Examples of persistence in a Sentence

He admired her dogged persistence in pursuing the job.

His persistence in asking for a raise was finally rewarded.

She has shown a lot of persistence.

Recent Examples on the Web

The figures underscore the lingering impact of the Iran war on gas prices and the stubborn persistence of inflation, which has ticked higher since the war began in late February. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The memoir is about the persistence of life in the face of death. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

Then there’s a clearing of throats, and like malware, the narratives begin to establish persistence over mood and multiply. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

The dehumanization of Black people represented by the persistence of Confederate iconography in mainstream culture became an underground signifier of the precariousness of the freedoms enshrined by the 14th Amendment. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persistence

• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

persistence

noun

per·​sis·​tence pər-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

-ˈzis-

1

: the act or fact of persisting

2

: the quality of being persistent