persevere

verb

per·​se·​vere ˌpər-sə-ˈvir 

persevered; persevering

intransitive verb

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

perseveringly

ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The early settlers of the New World persevered in the face of constant hardship and danger. The Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation lost half their number in the first winter to disease and hunger, but their perseverance paid off, and within five years their community was healthy and self-sufficient. Perhaps more remarkable are all the solitary inventors who have persevered in pursuing their visions for years, lacking any financial support and laughed at by the public.

Synonyms of persevere

• persist

Examples of persevere in a Sentence

She persevered in her studies and graduated near the top of her class.

Even though he was tired, he persevered and finished the race.

Recent Examples on the Web

After persevering through all seven terraces, master and pupil emerge at the top of the mountain, which, in Dante’s sacred geography, is the location of the Garden of Eden, the last cleansing stop before Paradise. —Claudia Roth Pierpont, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

However, the couple persevered with humbleness, and continue to be a prime example to young musicians — especially Wayne. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Back pain and other health issues plagued him in the lead-up to his 2025 tour, but Snider was eager to persevere, trusting in the songs themselves to lighten the load. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Nov. 2025

If Pashinyan perseveres and the fledgling peace with Baku holds, the biggest losers will be Moscow and Tehran, both of which will forfeit an erstwhile ally in the South Caucasus. —Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveren, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverer, perseverer "to last, endure, persist in spite of opposition," borrowed from Latin persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on, (of a condition) continue, last," from per- per- + -sevērāre, verbal derivative of sevērus "stern, austere, severe"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for persevere

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

persevere

verb

per·​se·​vere ˌpər-sə-ˈvi(ə)r 

persevered; persevering

: to keep at something in spite of difficulties, opposition, or discouragement