persist

verb per·sist \ pər-ˈsist , -ˈzist \

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

Clouds of flies persist; Nellie’s tail won’t quit flicking.

— Longreads, "And How Much of These Hills Is Gold," 3 Aug. 2017
Yet, the stigma and misconceptions surrounding eating disorders continues to persist.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "#FearlesslyFaceless Sets the Record Straight on What Eating Disorders Look Like," 21 July 2017
While these divisions persist in the Golden State, there is broader support overall for climate policies, says Mark Baldassare, the president of the Public Policy Institute of California, a think-tank.

— The Economist, "Paris-on-seaCalifornia pushes on with plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," 20 July 2017
While the EU is the main trading partner for Israel, frictions have persisted.

— pablo gorondi and ilan ben zion, chicagotribune.com, "On hot mic, Israeli PM Netanyahu blasts 'crazy' EU, admits Syria strikes," 19 July 2017
But allegations of war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons last year, persist.

— The Economist, "Donald Trump ducks a decision on sanctions on Khartoum," 13 July 2017
This would appear to have removed the existential threat to the euro for now, but the often tense interplay of currencies, policies and politics will undoubtedly persist for generations to come.

— by ken anderson, miamiherald, "Currencies, policies and politics are all intertwined," 9 July 2017
The research suggests that the significant number of vacancies in the Trump administration — and the concerns about policymaking that accompany them — are likely to persist unless both the White House and the Senate markedly accelerate their pace.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Principled conservatives show federalism is more than a talking point by rejecting voter data requests," 6 July 2017
The research suggests that the significant number of vacancies in the Trump administration - and the concerns about policymaking that accompany them - are likely to persist unless both the White House and the Senate markedly accelerate their pace.

— elise viebeck, chicagotribune.com, "Trump sets one of the slowest paces for staffing, nominations in recent history," 5 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

persist Synonyms

Synonyms

carry on, persevere

Antonyms

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words

dig in, hang on, keep up; follow through (with); knuckle down

Near Antonyms

give up, knock off, quit; bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield; falter, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

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.