persevering

American  

[pur-suh-veer-ing] / ˌpɜr səˈvɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. displaying perseverance; resolutely persistent; steadfast.

   a persevering student.

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Usage

What does persevering mean? Persevering is used to describe people who persevere—continue to do or try to achieve something despite difficulty or discouragement. A close synonym is persistent. Persevering can also be used to describe the efforts of such people. The word is typically used in a positive way to describe people who don’t give up no matter what. A persevering person keeps trying despite major challenges and setbacks. Persevering is also the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb persevere. People who are persevering are said to show perseverance, which is the quality of those who persevere, as in You showed great perseverance by recovering from your injury to compete at an even higher level. Example: Despite the many challenges they faced, our persevering students managed to finish what they started.

Other Word Forms

• nonpersevering adjective
• perseveringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of persevering

First recorded in 1640–50; persevere + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Ms. Alexander, deservedly Oscar-nominated for the role, creates a grounded, subtle portrait of persevering motherhood, Carol’s husband never having returned from San Francisco and very likely dead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

If you’re suffering from the persevering cold and in need of some cooking inspiration, fret not.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

But, wrote Clough "something told me he was worth persevering with".

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

To Morales, persevering through that long, painful history is what makes the agreement so significant: The tribe is “basically on the map now.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

I considered not imposing upon George LaTrell, because the truth is that in addition to being tired of persevering, I was also tired of imposing.

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo