persistent

adjective

pər-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce persistent (audio)
Definition of persistentnext
as in insistent
continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement although his first attempts were singularly unsuccessful, he was persistent in his pursuit of a career in rock music

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 persistent Beset by persistent prison overcrowding, the criminal justice system in England and Wales is in the throes of a years-long crisis. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026 Sullivan, who has been a persistent advocate for the Alaska natural gas project and has encouraged South Korean investment, is a two-term senator facing a competitive challenge from Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 Policymakers see the greater policy risk now as the persistent inflation that pushed central bankers to raise benchmark borrowing rates by a quarter percentage point earlier in September. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 Prison officials said cellphones and other contraband remain a persistent challenge. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persistent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persistent
  1. insistent
  2. stubborn
  3. resolute
  4. tenacious
  5. dogged
  6. steadfast
  7. relentless
  8. patient
Adjective
  • The spectral are getting louder, more insistent, more prevalent, and our literature, our cinema, reflect this.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But his presence in Monday’s festivities, held after an 8-3 win over the Twins at Target Field, illustrated why Aaron Judge was so insistent when asked if the championship-or-bust Bombers would celebrate a simple playoff berth.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insistent
Adjective
  • The recent rise in yields reflects concerns about stubborn inflation and hawkish central bank commentary, fueling expectations that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
    — Sarah Min,Davis Giangiulio,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Even so, scaling up could force Google and SpaceX to confront some stubborn physics.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Okereke himself, who was the one called for the unnecessary roughness penalty, was disappointed but resolute postgame.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For someone who works in an industry that is constantly in flux, Zurich Film Festival Co-Owner and Festival Director Reta Guetg is resolute in her ambition for the young film event.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • Western and Asian governments feared the tenacious insurgencies could help foster Islamic extremism in Southeast Asia.
    — Teresa Cerojano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Enciso can be the bustling out-ball, the tenacious, front-footed defender and provide the moments of individual brilliance to get Ipswich out of the relegation trouble many anticipate.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenacious
Adjective
  • Fineman is set to play Parker Quinn, a sports reporter for a top publication who’s known as a dogged reporter with a passion for her beat.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026
  • One of the hallmarks of the series is its dogged attention to detail, an aspect of storyboarding infinitely complicated by the non-linear nature of the episodes and the vast number of years Lestat’s life as a vampire spans.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026
Definition of dogged
Adjective
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted a sweeping plan Tuesday to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish people in New York City, moving to assuage concerns from critics who see his steadfast denunciations of Israel as antisemitic.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted a sweeping plan Tuesday to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish people in New York City, moving to assuage lingering concerns from critics who see his steadfast denunciations of Israel as antisemitic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • The size of these companies has been a seismic change, as has the market’s relentless concentration around tech.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Russia kept up its relentless round-the-clock attacks on the Ukrainian capital, hitting an office block where four people were killed, Zelenskyy said.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of relentless
Adjective
  • As reported earlier this year by KFF Health News, Nebraska’s health information exchange network, called CyncHealth, is sharing patient data with the federal government to enable studies on vaccines and autism.
    — Brittany Trang, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • When the consequence matters to a customer, employee, patient or citizen, somebody should remain accountable for the decision.
    — Gregg Aldana, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of patient

Browse Nearby Words

persistency
persistent
persisting
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Cite this Entry

“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persistent. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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