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

• carry on
• 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

Interacting with clients over time has imparted invaluable insights into goal achievement, maintaining focus, and persevering through life’s challenges. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 July 2024

Read More: What Martin Luther King Jr. Said at the March on Washington About Police Brutality Far from the TV cameras and reporter’s eye, in small towns and cities like Tuscaloosa, everyday Black citizens persevered despite the overwhelming power of police and white citizens. —John M. Giggie / Made By History, TIME, 7 June 2024

See the winning Olympians in swimming, track, rugby and more who shared their medal moments with their little ones Olympians are used to pulling off incredible feats of endurance, pushing past their own limits of exhaustion and overwhelming mental blocks to persevere in competition. —Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 31 July 2024

When Andrade was at her lowest, Biles encouraged her to persevere. —Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 29 July 2024

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

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