Synonym Chooser

How does the verb persist differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persist are abide, continue, endure, and last. While all these words mean "to exist over a period of time or indefinitely," persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

When can abide be used instead of persist?

The meanings of abide and persist largely overlap; however, abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

Where would continue be a reasonable alternative to persist?

While the synonyms continue and persist are close in meaning, continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

When would endure be a good substitute for persist?

The words endure and persist can be used in similar contexts, but endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

When could last be used to replace persist?

The synonyms last and persist are sometimes interchangeable, but last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of persist Significant achievement gaps persist between white students and students of color, as well as between higher- and lower-income students. Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Despite historic discrimination and trauma, Native communities continue to persist, said Joaquin Tarango, a citizen of Wilton Rancheria and the tribal community relations advisor to President Luke Wood. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Many in Maryvale were afraid to leave their houses throughout the summer of 2016 as the shootings persisted. Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Chandan is a Dalit, a low-caste Hindu in a country where the system is outlawed but the stigma persists, and Shoaib is Muslim in a time when India faces alarming rises in Islamophobia. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for persist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persist
Verb
  • Over the 55 years between Expo ’70 and EXPO 2025, countless individuals confronted solitude, persevered through trial and error, and ultimately propelled their eras forward.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Entrepreneurship can be transformative—but only if the founder perseveres.
    Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • National parks appear to have weathed summer crowds despite staffing cuts, but fall remains uncertain.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Sometime Tuesday or Wednesday is the forecast for when the storms will be closest if remaining independent, and each will be due east of the coast between Wilmington in North Carolina and the state border of South Carolina and Georgia.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Great Again hats and T-shirts emblazoned with Kirk’s face, ignored the registration queries and continued chatting with friends.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • ElAttrache recommended a shoulder debridement to relieve the pain Stewart has continued to feel in his shoulder.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many San Diego families and local employers were thrown into a lurch during the strike, which lasted just over one week in February 1996.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Utting believes a glut is on its way starting in 2030 and lasting until 2035 or so—right when VG is largely finished ramping up its incredible wave of growth.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persist. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on persist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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