PERSISTENT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

persistent

adjective

pər-ˈsi-stənt

Definition of persistent

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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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 The episode also captured a persistent cultural appetite for shaming teachers. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 In recent years, interest in fan fiction has risen right alongside Hollywood’s persistent investment in adapting pre-existing IP. — Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026 Block and report repeat senders Blocking individual numbers can reduce messages from persistent senders, even though other numbers may still get through. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The new design, while very stable under static loads and even sudden shifts like earthquakes, is unstable under a persistent push. — Andrew Ginter, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persistent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persistent

Adjective

There’s something inherently comical about this insistent, creepy overfamiliarity.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Those close to Al-Khelaifi are insistent that there is no conflict of interest, with the chair recusing himself from the LFP board over the past 12 months to remove any potential issue.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Cook rushed for 111 yards before his latest fumbling woes for the Bills, while Allen got more than 100 of his yards rushing on scrambles, repeatedly escaping the pocket and rendering useless the Rams’ tenacious secondary coverage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Pollock was not afraid of strong women and Lee Krasner was one of the most courageous, outspoken, and tenacious women any man might have chosen.

— Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 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

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is a man of few words — and initially, few feelings, or so thinks Marianne — the steadfast Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
The poem continues with more verses about Burns’s steadfast love, but beyond that, nothing really happens.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

The classic free-radical theory of aging, first proposed in the 1950s, held that aging itself resulted from the relentless buildup of ROS in our cells, decade after decade, and the wear and tear this caused.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Since 2017, Dulgarian has grown TAGABOW from its placid, solo origins into one of the decade’s most influential and inventive shoegaze bands; the proof is in Lotto, their bold and relentless breakout LP from last year.

— Abby Jones, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

After a patient day of defrosting in the fridge, the best part is the pale green marzipan exterior.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
Work hour restrictions can’t stand up to the competing pressures of completing the necessary number of procedures to become a safe and competent surgeon while covering other patient care duties.

— Arifeen Rahman, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of patient

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persistent

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“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persistent. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of persistent

adjective

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