persist

[ per-sist, -zist ]

verb (used without object)

1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.:

   to persist in working for world peace;

   to persist in unpopular political activities.

2. to last or endure tenaciously:

   The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.

3. to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.

   Synonyms: insist

verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to cause (a record, configuration, value, etc.) to be written to permanent storage by the scripted process that created it, so that it continues to exist in the same state after the script has finished running.

persist

/ pəˈsɪst /

verb

1. often foll by in to continue steadfastly or obstinately despite opposition or difficulty
2. to continue to exist or occur without interruption

   the rain persisted throughout the night

Derived Forms

• perˈsister, noun

Other Words From

• per·sist·er noun
• per·sist·ing·ly adverb
• per·sis·tive adjective
• per·sis·tive·ly adverb
• per·sis·tive·ness noun
• non·per·sist·ing adjective
• un·per·sist·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of persist¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin persistere, literally, “to stand firm permanently,” equivalent to per- per- ( def ) + sistere “to (cause to) stand,” akin to stāre “to stand ( def ) ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of persist¹

C16: from Latin persistere, from per- (intensive) + sistere to stand steadfast, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See continue.

Example Sentences

But these weak sisters exist — and persist.

From Los Angeles Times

But will they likewise refuse to intervene if legal challenges persist well after Election Day?

From Salon

Officials continue to warn of what they say is an unprecedented level of foreign influence and disinformation that they expect will persist long past when votes are cast.

From Los Angeles Times

The suicides strongly suggest that, despite a federal class-action suit a decade ago that exposed deficiencies in mental health treatment in Riverside County jails and resulted in new court-ordered requirements, problems persist.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, experts said, many of the problems identified in “The Heckler Report” persist.

From Salon

Related Words

• carry on
• carry over
• continue
• endure
• go on
• linger
• persevere
• prevail
• pursue
• recur
• remain