perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
Synonyms of perseverancenext
: 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
Aaliyah and her artistry live on as a symbol of perseverance.Julian Kimble

Examples 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These conversations fostered a deeper understanding of perseverance, identity, and the importance of memory, leaving a lasting impact on both students and guests. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026 Black music, community, creativity, courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and all the things. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2026 In revisiting Lehmann’s story, Strager highlights that Lehmann’s legacy is one of resilience and perseverance—proof that early setbacks do not define a person and that brilliance can flourish, even later in life. Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026 August 23 – September 22 Virgo, your perseverance guides every step. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perseverance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveraunce, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverance, parsevrance, borrowed from Latin persevērantia, noun derivative of persevērant-, persevērans "persisting in a course of action, steadfast," from present participle of persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on" — more at persevere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perseverance was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Perseverance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

perseverance

noun
per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: the action, state, or an instance of persevering

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