persistent

American  

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-] / pərˈsɪs tənt, -ˈzɪs- /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Synonym Usage

See stubborn.

Other Word Forms

• nonpersistent
  adjective
• nonpersistently
  adverb
• persistently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of persistent

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

Explanation

If something is persistent, it just won't stop. If you're persistent in your suggestions for a trip to Mexico, maybe your parents will eventually give in and take you there. Persistent comes from the Latin verb persistere which means "to continue with strength." A persistent salesman refuses to give up. A persistent ringing sound is one that repeats and repeats. Persistent rumors keep circulating, as does a persistent virus. Often something persistent is annoying. The related verb is persist, which means to continue to exist, or to go without stopping.

Example Sentences

The fourth consecutive month of price growth suggests that the economy has firmly emerged from a persistent 41-month period of decline that started in October 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

"Due to the impact of persistent heavy rainfall and the prolonged passage of floodwaters at high levels, the safety of reservoirs and embankments in the affected areas faces a severe test," he added.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

First, persistent strategic pressure requires substantial, resilient strike networks, not only exquisite weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

"Due to the impact of persistent heavy rainfall and the prolonged passage of floodwaters at high levels, the safety of reservoirs and embankments in the affected areas faces a severe test," he said.

From Barron's • Jul. 7, 2026

Not bad work for a persistent twelve-year-old, but still not enough.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

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