persistent

[ per-sis-tuhnt, -zis- ]

adjective

1. persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering:

   a most annoyingly persistent young man.

   Synonyms: tenacious, pertinacious, indefatigable

2. lasting or enduring tenaciously:

   the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.

3. constantly repeated; continued:

   persistent noise.

   Synonyms: steady, constant

   Antonyms: sporadic

4. Biology.
   1. continuing or permanent.
   2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
5. Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

persistent

/ pəˈsɪstənt /

adjective

1. showing persistence
2. incessantly repeated; unrelenting

   your persistent questioning

3. (of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering

   a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth

4. zoology
   1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult

      persistent gills in axolotls

   2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth

      persistent teeth

5. (of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable

Derived Forms

• perˈsistently, adverb

Other Words From

• per·sistent·ly adverb
• nonper·sistent adjective
• nonper·sistent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of persistent¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns ), present participle of persistere “to stand firm, persist”; persist, -ent

Synonym Study

See stubborn.

Example Sentences

The latest EPI report also highlights a persistent issue with students dropping out of courses early.

From BBC

However, Mr Bailey said the prosecution's case was that Ms Riaz's injuries were caused by "sustained, persistent, deliberate, and intentional application of severe force".

From BBC

This means that instead of moving through a region relatively quickly, they get blocked over the same area leading to persistent rainfall for several days.

From BBC

As new attitudes and styles arrived — the avant-garde of the 1960s, the fusion of the ’70s and ’80s — he quickly grasped their techniques and incorporated them into his own persistent musical vision.

From Los Angeles Times

He notes that recent research suggests that the Northeast may continue to see more persistent weather systems—dry and wet—and thus more “weather whiplash.”

From Slate

Related Words

• constant
• continual
• endless
• enduring
• incessant
• insistent
• perpetual
• relentless
• repeated
• resolute
• steadfast
• steady
• stubborn
• tenacious
• unrelenting
• unremitting