persistence

noun

per·​sis·​tence pər-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

-ˈzi-

1

: the action or fact of persisting

2

: the quality or state of being persistent

especially : perseverance

Synonyms of persistence

• continuation
• continuity
• continuance
• continuousness

Examples of persistence in a Sentence

He admired her dogged persistence in pursuing the job.

His persistence in asking for a raise was finally rewarded.

She has shown a lot of persistence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Becoming a father doesn’t exactly fit Marty’s grand plan, but Rachel proves a match for him in craftiness and persistence. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025

So, for me, the key traits are curiosity, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, persistence, and the ability to build bridges. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025

Douglass Morgan is driven by her family’s lessons about discipline and persistence, combined with her experience of the challenges women and people of color face in the workplace. —Essence, 24 Nov. 2025

Dormancy may have been essential for the persistence of life on Earth. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persistence

• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

persistence

noun

per·​sis·​tence pər-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

-ˈzis-

1

: the act or fact of persisting

2

: the quality of being persistent