Meaning & use

persist

verb·Everyday

To continue firmly in a course of action or belief despite difficulty, opposition, or discouragement.

See it in a sentence

Despite repeated setbacks, the research team persisted until they finally found a working solution.

If the pain persists for more than a week, the doctor recommended scheduling an examination.

A note on using this word

Persist can describe either a person's determined effort or a condition, such as a symptom, that simply continues without change.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

stopquit

Make it your own

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