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 The film takes place in the Mississippi Delta in 1932–amid The Great Depression and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany– which were inspired by the horrors persisting in the States. Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025 By the same token, much of the media coverage of the documentary also noted French society’s persisting reluctance to look its colonial history squarely in the eye. Christopher Clark, The Dial, 13 May 2025 For years, the New York City Department of Correction has failed to follow federal court orders to enact meaningful reforms, allowing violence, disorder, and systemic dysfunction to persist in the jails. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 This whole situation underscores the lack of genuine political will to tackle the structural and deep-seated inequality that persists in Cape Town. Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for persist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persist
Verb
  • Carter persevered despite not having his top control or performance.
    Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 13 May 2025
  • Tight end Elijah Arroyo persevered through multiple injury hurdles during his time with the Miami Hurricanes before ending his collegiate career with a breakout season.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Women have become relatively better represented in science, but people of color remain glaringly less so.
    Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
  • Desert areas will remain hot Saturday and Sunday, but the majority of the Southern California will see much milder weather in time for Memorial Day celebrations.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • According to a fundraiser created by her sister, Dallas Jimenez, her family continues to seek answers in her disappearance and death.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Until then, the cat and mouse between inmate and BOP will continue.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Or a slightly thicker phone with a beefier battery that could last two days?
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 13 May 2025
  • Judge Beverly Cannone estimated the trial could last between six and eight weeks.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persist. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on persist

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