perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness

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.
Last month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Florida recognized Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing the stories of resilient Floridians and their mental health journeys — stories that reflect strength, perseverance, and, too often, barriers to care. Carali McLean, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025 But stories of grit and perseverance turn out to be half-baked. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Nelson’s debut solo album, American Romance (produced by Shooter Jennings, son of Waylon), is brimming with universal observations about love, loss, family, perseverance, and the cycle of birth and death. Rachel Brodsky, Time, 20 June 2025 His grit and perseverance deserve all the applause. Congrats, Robert. Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025 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 30 Jun. 2025.

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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