persist

verb per·sist \ pər-ˈsist , -ˈzist \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

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Examples: persist in a Sentence

Definition of persist

intransitive verb

1 : to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning

2 obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position

3 : to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (such as a question or an opinion)

4 : to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time

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persister

noun

See persist defined for English-language learners

See persist defined for kids

Examples of persist in a Sentence

She had turned him down for a date before, but he persisted and asked her again.
The reporter persisted with his questioning.
If you persist with this behavior, you will be punished.
Must you persist in making that noise?
If the pain persists, see a doctor.
Doubts about the defendant's story have persisted for some time now.
Rumors persist that they are dating.

Recent Examples of persist from the Web

Cantor and Seibert caution that reestablishing contact with Opportunity might take weeks to months, depending on how long the global dust cloud persists.

— National Geographic, "Mars Rover Powers Down During Dust Storm—But It's Not Dead Yet," 13 June 2018
Geopolitical tensions also tend to boost gold, and Mr. Trump scrapping the meeting could be a sign to some analysts that tensions with North Korea might persist.

— david hodari, WSJ, "Gold Lifted By Canceled North Korea Summit, Weaker Dollar," 24 May 2018
The ambiguity of the Sopranos ending persists to this day.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Is Alec Baldwin’s Donald Trump Leaving S.N.L.?," 20 May 2018
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder or condition that starts in childhood and may persist into adulthood in approximately half the individuals who experience it as children.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Children aren't the only ones with ADHD; adults get it as well," 17 May 2018
She was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct-persisting.

— cheryl higley, cleveland.com, "Man charged in child porn case: North Ridgeville police," 7 May 2018
The focus became the soul, but the notion of an ideal persisted and that an individual has the capacity, on their own and through enough individual will and work, to arrive at perfection.

— gal beckerman, The New Republic, "Don’t Blame Phones for Narcissism," 7 May 2018
Confidence: Low-Medium A LOOK AHEAD Sunday: Cloudy, rainy conditions may persist, at least through the morning.

— a. camden walker, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Heat wave ends today. Cooler, damp weekend ahead.," 4 May 2018
Wintry weather may persist into early next week, forecasters wrote.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Windy, rainy, and warm Wednesday," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of persist

Middle French persister, from Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

persist Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of persist

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. continue applies to a process going on without ending.

- the search for peace will continue

last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

- buy shoes that will last

endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

- in spite of everything, her faith endured

abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

- a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

- the sense of guilt persisted

PERSIST Defined for English Language Learners

persist

verb

Definition of persist for English Language Learners

: to continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop
: to continue to occur or exist beyond the usual, expected, or normal time

PERSIST Defined for Kids

persist

verb per·sist \ pər-ˈsist \

Definition of persist for Students

persisted; persisting

1 : to keep on doing or saying something : continue stubbornly

The reporter persisted with questions.

2 : to last on and on : continue to exist or occur

Rain persisted for days.

Word Root of persist

The Latin word sistere, meaning “to stand,” “to appear,” “to stop,” or “to put,” gives us the root sist. Words from the Latin sistere have something to do with standing, appearing, stopping, or putting. To assist, or help, is to stand by someone in order to give aid. To consist is to be made up of a number of thing put together. To exist, or have actual being, is to appear real. To persist is to refuse to stop doing or saying something.