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

Other Word Forms

• persistently adverb
• nonpersistent adjective
• nonpersistently 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

In a frustrating start to the three-game series, persistent rain forced the players from the field on multiple occasions, frustrating the Indians, who struggled to build any momentum.

Read more on Barron's

Valdet Bujupi, 44, from Barrow, Cumbria, said he would have never bought a lucky dip ticket if his daughter had not been so persistent in her demand for sweets on a journey home.

Read more on BBC

It’s a factor in more persistent inflation, which in turn impacts consumer spending and borrowing.

Read more on MarketWatch

The protests, which started last month, were initially organised by a youth movement known as Gen Z Mada - angered by persistent power and water shortages.

Read more on BBC

As I’ve reported in the past, the targets of these sorts of promotions are consumers who are either looking for alternative treatments for persistent conditions or are dealing with chronic, incurable or terminal illness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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