Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense persists, present participle persisting, past tense, past participle persisted
1. verb
If something undesirable persists, it continues to exist.
Contact your doctor if the cough persists. [VERB]
These problems persisted for much of the decade. [VERB]
2. verb
If you persistin doing something, you continue to do it, even though it is difficult or other people are against it.
Why does Britain persist in running down its defence forces? [VERB + in]
He urged the United States to persist with its efforts to bring about peace. [V + with/in]
'You haven't answered me,' she persisted. [VERB with quote]
When I set my mind to something, I persist. [VERB]
Synonyms: persevere, continue, go on, carry on More Synonyms of persist
More Synonyms of persist
persist in British English
(pəˈsɪst)
verb(intransitive)
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
persister (perˈsister)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin persistere, from per- (intensive) + sistere to stand steadfast, from stāre to stand
persist in American English
(pərˈsɪst; pərˈzɪst)
verb intransitive
1.
to refuse to give up, esp. when faced with opposition or difficulty; continue firmly or steadily
2.
to continue insistently, as in repeating a question
3.
to continue to exist or prevail; endure; remain
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈtinue
Word origin
MFr persister < L persistere < per, through + sistere, to cause to stand, redupl. of base of stare, to stand
Examples of 'persist' in a sentence
persist
If the problem persists, have it looked at and listen to your body.
The Sun (2016)
But scepticism persists about whether the deal will hold, amid concerns that no effective mechanism exists to police the cut.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some transition is inevitable, necessary, but still the vulnerabilities persist with no easy fix.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And while record numbers of disadvantaged students are going to university, a gap still persists depending on a student's background.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Doubts persist about his potency against the very best.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
If your fears still persist then talking to a counsellor can help.
The Sun (2013)
We patched things up but the problems persist.
The Sun (2010)
The longer problems persist the harder they are to resolve.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The club were hoping to avoid surgery but the problem has persisted.
The Sun (2013)
It predicted that the problems would persist for the foreseeable future.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But see your doc for advice if the problem persists.
The Sun (2010)
The mood did not persist, though.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Despite the growing use of the technique, many questions persist about its role and value.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
Although the situation in many areas of the economy is improving, concerns also persist about transparency.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Additionally, concern about neglect had persisted.
Langan, Mary (ed) Taking Child Abuse Seriously: Contemporary issues in child protection theory andpractice (1990)
Yet huge swathes of poverty, deprivation and overcrowding still persist.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If she still persists, going to the police may be your only option.
The Sun (2011)
In this way, early problems will often persist.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
If the problem persists, it requires the gearbox to be opened up for examination.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
As for the others, there are about a dozen or so with whom a tenuous attachment may still persist.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So many questions persist, though.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Although investors piled into gold as the dollar weakened and worries about economic recovery persisted, punters bet that the rally would soon lose steam.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
While the boardroom vacuum persists, though, takeover speculation will continue to whirl around the company.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Sterling rose sharply against the dollar as concern persisted about American and European debt.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The treaty was now dead and Britain's influence became more precarious though it persisted for another decade.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
In other languages
persist
British English: persist VERB
If something undesirable persists, it continues to exist.
Contact your doctor if the cough persists.
American English: persist
Brazilian Portuguese: persistir
Chinese: > 继续存在尤指不合意的事物
European Spanish: persistir
French: persister
German: fortdauern
Italian: persistere
Japanese: 存続する
Korean: 존속하다
European Portuguese: persistir
Latin American Spanish: persistir
Chinese translation of 'persist'
persist
(pəˈsɪst)
vi
[rain, problem, symptom etc]持续(續) (chíxù)
to persist with sth执(執)意坚(堅)持某事 (zhíyì jiānchí mǒushì)
to persist in doing sth坚(堅)持不懈地做某事 (jiānchí bùxiè de zuò mǒushì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to continue without interruption
Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist.
Synonyms
continue
For ten days I continued in this state.
He had hoped to continue as a full-time career officer.
last
You only need a very small amount, so the tube lasts for ages.
remain
There remains deep mistrust of his government.
carry on
Her bravery has given him the will to carry on.
endure
Somehow the language endures and continues to survive to this day.
keep up
linger
The guilty feelings lingered.
abide
to make moral judgements on the basis of what is eternal and abides
2 (verb)
Definition
to continue obstinately despite opposition
He urged them to persist with their efforts to bring about peace.
Synonyms
persevere
the ability to persevere despite obstacles and setbacks
continue
Outside the hall, people continued their vigil.
go on
the necessity for the war to go on
carry on
hold on (informal)
keep on
keep going
press on
Organizers of the strike are determined to press on.
not give up
stand firm
soldier on (informal)
The government has soldiered on as if nothing were wrong.
stay the course
plough on
be resolute
stick to your guns (informal)
show determination
crack on (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abide
Definition
to last or exist for a long time
to make moral judgements on the basis of what is eternal and abides
Synonyms
last,
continue,
remain,
survive,
carry on,
endure,
persist,
keep on
in the sense of carry on
Definition
to continue
Her bravery has given him the will to carry on.
Synonyms
continue,
last,
endure,
persist,
keep going,
persevere,
crack on (informal)
in the sense of endure
Definition
to last for a long time
Somehow the language endures and continues to survive to this day.
Synonyms
last,
live,
continue,
remain,
stay,
hold,
stand,
go on,
survive,
live on,
prevail,
persist,
abide,
be durable,
wear well
Synonyms of 'persist'
persist
Explore 'persist' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of go on
Definition
to continue or proceed
the necessity for the war to go on
Synonyms
continue,
last,
stay,
proceed,
carry on,
keep going
in the sense of last
Definition
to remain fresh, uninjured, or unaltered for a certain time
You only need a very small amount, so the tube lasts for ages.
Synonyms
continue,
keep,
remain,
survive,
wear,
carry on,
endure,
hold on,
persist,
keep on,
hold out,
abide
in the sense of linger
The guilty feelings lingered.
Synonyms
continue,
last,
remain,
stay,
carry on,
endure,
persist,
abide
in the sense of press on
Definition
to continue in a determined way
Organizers of the strike are determined to press on.
Synonyms
continue,
proceed,
carry on,
keep going,
move forward,
make progress,
press ahead,
persevere,
not give up,
soldier on (informal),
push on,
struggle on,
forge ahead,
go the distance,
stay the course,
keep at it,
stick at it (informal),
crack on (informal)
in the sense of remain
Definition
to continue to be
There remains deep mistrust of his government.
Synonyms
continue,
be left,
endure,
persist,
linger,
hang in the air,
stay
in the sense of soldier on
Definition
to continue one's efforts despite difficulties or pressure
The government has soldiered on as if nothing were wrong.