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 According to Breidenbach, daylight will persist much later in the evening here because Boise is so far west in the Mountain time zone and also so far north. Alex Music, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2025 Issues related to racial misclassification in public records persist across the entire life course for AI/AN individuals, from birth to early childhood interventions to chronic disease and death. Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 Usually, pollution from a sewer main break only lasts for a few days, but for many reasons, including outdated infrastructure, the pollution has persisted at Park View Kaway Launch for years. Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2025 But sometimes less stable minerals persist because there isn’t enough energy available to convert them to more stable phases. Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for persist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persist
Verb
  • The theory of natural selection persevered, and the lengthy record of our ancient roots began to fill out.
    Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
  • Bracewell persevered and was promoted to principal at the Royal Ballet and Opera at the age of 31 in 2022.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • Firefighters remained at the scene Tuesday afternoon.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • As the co-chairman continues to push the need to channel that inner 10-year-old, the episode switches to home movie footage of the players as kids, interspersed with match action from the game against Charlton.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Our hope is that New Yorkers will continue to keep this dynamic city the capital of capitalism.
    Time, Time, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The war that began on June 13 with Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear sites lasted for 12 days.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 June 2025
  • Sunday's flight lasted about 10 minutes and 33 seconds, allowing the civilian crew a chance to unbuckle from their seats and briefly experience weightlessness in the capsule.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persist. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on persist

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