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
persister
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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
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The debate about super teams, about whether the league is aided or injured when the game’s premier players join forces for one franchise, will persist long after these NBA Finals are finished and a new/old champion receives the trophy.
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Nawaz Sharif sacked Hashmi, but tension between his government and judiciary persist.
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G-7 Fallout Ripples The world order that’s persisted since WWII has shown signs of fraying, prompting new geopolitical alliances to be contemplated.
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The documents reveal a special bond between Hamza bin Laden and his father that persisted despite long periods of separation.
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The echo off the far end of the caverous Death Star that persisted during the opening set of Denver folk group The Lumineers’ vanished during the poli-sci masters class Professor Bono & Co. put on.
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One question persisted — what to do about Hubbard Park?
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But JK2 Westminster persisted in seeking a hearing on the suit.
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The last confirmed eruption from Guallatiri was in 1960, although a persistent plume from fumaroles near the summit persist.
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
First Known Use: 1531
Synonym Discussion of persist
PERSIST Defined for English Language Learners
persist
playDefinition of persist for English Language Learners
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: to continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop
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: to continue to occur or exist beyond the usual, expected, or normal time
PERSIST Defined for Kids
persist
playDefinition 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.
Learn More about persist
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See words that rhyme with persist Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for persist Spanish Central: Translation of persist Nglish: Translation of persist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of persist for Arabic speakers
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