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

These are songs of utter persistence, of utter utterness. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Long engaged with questions of violence, displacement, and the politics of gender, Malani here turns to the myth of Orestes to probe the historical roots of power and its persistence in the present. —Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Ultimately, though, getting a creditor to agree to a settlement without a lump-sum payout typically requires more persistence and a willingness to work within stricter terms. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

In short, these war machines offer unparalleled precision, persistence, and proximity support unlike any other weapon system. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026

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