PERSISTS Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

persists

verb

present tense third-person singular of persist

as in perseveres

to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement she persisted in her efforts and eventually got the job she wanted

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as in remains

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state my headache persisted for almost the entire day

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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 persists Despite the years of Sturm und Drang about pandemic origins, and the wholesale adoption of the lab-leak theory by the party that controls both Congress and the White House, a shaky status quo still persists in biosafety. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 For instance, some forecasters warn that if drought persists through multiple seasons, the combination of dry soils and shifting precipitation patterns could increase stress on agriculture and water supplies. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Hannah Safford, Associate Director of Climate and Environment at the Federation of American Scientists, identifies a structural reason the knowledge gap persists. — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 There persists a steady drumbeat of concern Russia might open a new front in Europe. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Yet Mexico also faces significant risks if uncertainty persists. — Nik Popli, Time, 2 July 2026 An Extreme Heat Warning persists through Thursday night for all counties in the Chicago area and the city of Chicago itself. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 1 July 2026 According to Global Conflict Tracker, Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory and fighting persists with ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 However, if the attack persists, people are advised to fight back. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persists

Verb

True love, though, always perseveres.

— Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
That spirit of hers perseveres.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Definition of perseveres

Verb

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented and constrained by supply chains, bureaucracy, labor shortages and years of underinvestment.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Small in size but big on personality, Little Spirit remains one of Atlanta’s most consistently delightful neighborhood cocktail bars.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of remains

Verb

In Gaza City, a Palestinian man continues to search for the remains of his 26-year-old son, who was killed in an Israeli strike nine months ago.

— Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
The broader medical tourism industry continues to expand, but beauty and cosmetic tourism have become fast-growing segments of their own.

— Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026