Something that is persistent continues to exist or happen for a long time; used especially about bad or undesirable states or situations.
Her position as national leader has been weakened by persistent fears of anothercoup attempt.
His cough grew more persistent until it never stopped.
Shoppers picked their way through puddles caused by persistent rain.
2. adjective
Someone who is persistent continues trying to do something, even though it is difficult or other people are against it.
...a persistent critic of the government's transport policies.
He phoned again this morning. He's very persistent.
Synonyms: determined, dogged, fixed, steady More Synonyms of persistent
More Synonyms of persistent
persistent in British English
(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
a.
(of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult
persistent gills in axolotls
b.
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
Also (rare): persistive
Derived forms
persistently (perˈsistently) or persistingly (perˈsistingly)
adverb
persistent in American English
(pərˈsɪstənt; pərˈzɪstənt)
adjective
1.
refusing to relent; continuing, esp. in the face of opposition, interference, etc.; stubborn; persevering
2.
continuing to exist or endure; lasting without change
3.
constantly repeated; continued
4. Botany
remaining attached permanently or for a longer than normal time, as some leaves,perianths, etc.
5. Zoology
a.
remaining essentially unchanged over a long period of geologic time, as a species
b.
remaining for life
said of such parts retained in the adult that normally disappear or wither at anearly stage
Derived forms
persistently (perˈsistently)
adverb
Word origin
L persistens, prp. of persistere: see persist
Examples of 'persistent' in a sentence
persistent
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
The stewards actually did little about the persistent standing, partly because too many fans were on their feet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As for vinegar, he recommended it for a wide range of uses, from cleaning wounds to sorting out a persistent cough.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many patients complained about the persistent taste of fish oil in their mouths.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
The usual symptoms are a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
The Sun (2010)
He is a persistent offender and is out of last chances.
The Sun (2012)
The persistent rain was not part of our planning.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Much of the past few months have been spent managing a persistent hip injury.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The failure to fix this persistent problem is baffling.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Four recent books reflect the ongoing persistent disagreement about the answer to that question.
Christianity Today (2000)
He has also told police to fine persistent offenders.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Only persistent rain is likely to have a serious impact.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But he has managed just one minute this season since recovering from a persistent abdominal injury.
The Sun (2009)
It added that poor productivity remained a persistent problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But persistent offenders will face both an increase in points and fines.
The Sun (2015)
You might have had a persistent cough and then get a random flyer through the door about cancer screening.
The Sun (2013)
The bank is also at the centre of persistent bid speculation and this has helped drive up the share price.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The showers could be heavy and persistent, especially across the southwest.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Forecasters said there might be a temporary respite tomorrow before persistent rain returns on Monday.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The 32-year-old admitted that the persistent injury has caused him to sit out training for a considerable period of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There are 10 teams currently in the field, with persistent rumours of one or more leaving the sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The company, which has been the subject of persistent bid speculation, could do deals of its own.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And with good reason: A persistent bad taste can result from many problems.
The Sun (2007)
In other languages
persistent
British English: persistent /pəˈsɪstənt/ ADJECTIVE
If something bad is persistent, it continues to exist or happen for a long time.
His cough grew more persistent.
American English: persistent
Arabic: مُصِرٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: persistente
Chinese: 坚持不懈的
Croatian: uporan
Czech: neustálý
Danish: vedholdende
Dutch: vasthoudend
European Spanish: persistente
Finnish: itsepintainen
French: tenace
German: beharrlich
Greek: επίμονος
Italian: persistente
Japanese: 持続性の
Korean: 끈덕진
Norwegian: iherdig
Polish: uporczywy
European Portuguese: persistente
Romanian: persistent
Russian: упорный
Latin American Spanish: persistente
Swedish: enträgen
Thai: ที่ยังคงอยู่
Turkish: ısrarlı
Ukrainian: наполегливий
Vietnamese: dai dẳng
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'persistent'
persistent rain
Rain is water that falls from the clouds in small drops.
persistent cruelty
conduct causing fear of danger to the life or health of a spouse (used in matrimonial proceedings before magistrates )
persistent problem
A problem is a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people.
persistent rumours
A rumour is a story or piece of information that may or may not be true , but that people are talking about.
persistent allegation
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong .
persistent offender
a person who repeatedly breaks the law
persistent organic pollutant
a toxin resulting from a manufacturing process, which remains in the environment for many years
persistent vegetative state
If someone is in a persistent vegetative state , they are unable to think , speak , or move because they have severe brain damage, and their condition is not likely to improve .
persistent depressive disorder
a psychiatric condition characterized by long-term , generalized depression
Chinese translation of 'persistent'
persistent
(pəˈsɪstənt)
adj
[smell, noise]不断(斷)的 (bùduàn de)
[problem, rain, wind]持续(續)的 (chíxù de)
[symptom, cough]顽(頑)固性的 (wángùxìng de)
[rumour, report]连(連)续(續)不断(斷)的 (liánxù bùduàn de)
[person]坚(堅)持不懈的 (jiānchí bùxiè de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
unrelenting
flooding caused by persistent rain
Synonyms
continuous
Residents reported that they heard continuous gunfire.
constant
The frontier was a constant source of conflict.
relentless
The pressure now was relentless.
lasting
repeated
Repeated absence from school is problem behavior.
endless
I am tired of your endless complaints.
perpetual
her perpetual complaints
continual
She suffered continual teasing.
never-ending
a never-ending lecture
interminable
an interminable meeting
unrelenting
an unrelenting downpour of rain
incessant
Incessant rain made conditions almost intolerable.
unremitting
boarding school, where I spent six years of unremitting misery
thanks to his unremitting efforts
Opposites
occasional
,
irregular
,
periodic
,
intermittent
,
off-and-on
,
inconstant
2 (adjective)
Definition
showing persistence
He phoned again this morning – he's very persistent.
Synonyms
determined
He is making a determined effort to regain lost ground.
dogged
through sheer dogged determination
fixed
steady
the steady beat of the drums
enduring
Their chance meeting was the start of an enduring friendship.
stubborn
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
persevering
resolute
a decisive and resolute international leader
tireless
He was a tireless worker for justice.
tenacious
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
steadfast
He remained steadfast in his belief that he had done the right thing.
obstinate
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
indefatigable
His indefatigable spirit helped him to cope with the illness.
immovable
On one issue, however, she was immovable.
assiduous
an assiduous student
obdurate
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
stiff-necked
unflagging
He was sustained by the unflagging support of his family.
pertinacious
Opposites
yielding
,
flexible
,
changeable
,
tractable
,
irresolute
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assiduous
Definition
hard-working
an assiduous student
Synonyms
diligent,
constant,
steady,
hard-working,
persistent,
attentive,
persevering,
laborious,
industrious,
indefatigable,
studious,
unflagging,
untiring,
swotty (British, informal),
sedulous,
unwearied
in the sense of constant
Definition
continuous
The frontier was a constant source of conflict.
Synonyms
continuous,
sustained,
endless,
persistent,
eternal,
relentless,
perpetual,
continual,
never-ending,
habitual,
uninterrupted,
interminable,
unrelenting,
incessant,
everlasting,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
nonstop
in the sense of continual
Definition
recurring frequently
She suffered continual teasing.
Synonyms
frequent,
regular,
repeated,
repetitive,
recurrent,
oft-repeated
Synonyms of 'persistent'
persistent
Explore 'persistent' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dogged
Definition
obstinately determined
through sheer dogged determination
Synonyms
determined,
steady,
persistent,
stubborn,
firm,
staunch,
persevering,
resolute,
single-minded,
tenacious,
steadfast,
unyielding,
obstinate,
indefatigable,
immovable,
stiff-necked,
unshakable,
unflagging,
pertinacious
in the sense of endless
Definition
continuing too long or continually recurring
I am tired of your endless complaints.
Synonyms
interminable,
constant,
persistent,
perpetual,
never-ending,
incessant,
monotonous,
overlong,
Ndls
in the sense of enduring
Definition
long-lasting
Their chance meeting was the start of an enduring friendship.
Synonyms
long-lasting,
lasting,
living,
continuing,
remaining,
firm,
surviving,
permanent,
constant,
steady,
prevailing,
persisting,
abiding,
perennial,
durable,
immortal,
steadfast,
unwavering,
immovable,
imperishable,
unfaltering
in the sense of immovable
Definition
unwilling to change one's opinions or beliefs
On one issue, however, she was immovable.
Synonyms
inflexible,
adamant,
resolute,
steadfast,
constant,
unyielding,
unwavering,
impassive,
obdurate,
unshakable,
unchangeable,
unshaken,
stony-hearted,
unimpressionable
in the sense of incessant
Definition
never stopping
Incessant rain made conditions almost intolerable.
Synonyms
constant,
endless,
continuous,
persistent,
eternal,
relentless,
perpetual,
continual,
unbroken,
never-ending,
interminable,
unrelenting,
everlasting,
unending,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
nonstop,
unceasing
in the sense of indefatigable
Definition
never getting tired or giving up
His indefatigable spirit helped him to cope with the illness.
Synonyms
tireless,
dogged,
persevering,
patient,
relentless,
diligent,
inexhaustible,
unremitting,
assiduous,
unflagging,
untiring,
sedulous,
pertinacious,
unwearying,
unwearied
in the sense of interminable
Definition
seemingly endless because boring
an interminable meeting
Synonyms
endless,
long,
never-ending,
dragging,
unlimited,
infinite,
perpetual,
protracted,
limitless,
boundless,
everlasting,
ceaseless,
long-winded,
long-drawn-out,
immeasurable,
wearisome,
unbounded
in the sense of never-ending
Definition
long and boring
a never-ending lecture
Synonyms
endless,
constant,
continuous,
persistent,
eternal,
relentless,
perpetual,
continual,
unbroken,
uninterrupted,
interminable,
incessant,
everlasting,
unchanging,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
nonstop,
unceasing,
boundless
in the sense of obdurate
Definition
not to be persuaded
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
Synonyms
obstinate,
firm,
dogged,
determined,
fixed,
iron,
persistent,
relentless,
adamant,
stubborn,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
unrelenting,
tenacious,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
strong-minded,
unbending,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable or unshakable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
mulish,
contumacious (literary),
pertinacious,
indurate (rare),
proof against persuasion,
unimpressible
in the sense of obstinate
Definition
keeping stubbornly to a particular opinion or course of action
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
firm,
perverse,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
steadfast,
unyielding,
opinionated,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
cussed,
strong-minded,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
contumacious,
pertinacious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of perpetual
Definition
continually repeated
her perpetual complaints
Synonyms
continual,
repeated,
constant,
endless,
continuous,
persistent,
perennial,
recurrent,
never-ending,
uninterrupted,
interminable,
incessant,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
unfailing,
unceasing
in the sense of pertinacious
Definition
stubbornly persistent
Synonyms
determined,
dogged,
persistent,
relentless,
stubborn,
perverse,
persevering,
resolute,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
tenacious,
strong-willed,
unyielding,
obstinate,
headstrong,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
self-willed,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish
in the sense of relentless
Definition
never stopping or reducing in severity
The pressure now was relentless.
Synonyms
unremitting,
sustained,
punishing,
persistent,
unstoppable,
unbroken,
unrelenting,
incessant,
unabated,
nonstop,
unrelieved,
unflagging,
unfaltering
in the sense of repeated
Repeated absence from school is problem behavior.
Synonyms
persistent,
constant,
relentless,
perpetual,
continual,
unrelenting,
incessant,
unremitting
in the sense of resolute
Definition
firm in purpose or belief
a decisive and resolute international leader
Synonyms
determined,
set,
firm,
dogged,
fixed,
constant,
bold,
relentless,
stubborn,
stalwart,
staunch,
persevering,
inflexible,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
obstinate,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
unshakable,
unshaken
in the sense of steadfast
Definition
dedicated and unwavering
He remained steadfast in his belief that he had done the right thing.
Synonyms
resolute,
firm,
fast,
fixed,
stable,
intent,
single-minded,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
unswerving,
unfaltering
in the sense of steady
Definition
regular
the steady beat of the drums
Synonyms
continuous,
even,
regular,
constant,
consistent,
persistent,
rhythmic,
unbroken,
habitual,
uninterrupted,
incessant,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
unwavering,
nonstop,
unvarying,
unfaltering,
unfluctuating
in the sense of stubborn
Definition
persistent and determined
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
Synonyms
obstinate,
dogged,
inflexible,
fixed,
persistent,
intractable,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
unyielding,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
cross-grained,
contumacious
in the sense of tenacious
Definition
stubborn or persistent
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
sure,
firm,
adamant,
staunch,
resolute,
inflexible,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
immovable,
unswerving,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
pertinacious
in the sense of tireless
Definition
energetic and determined
He was a tireless worker for justice.
Synonyms
energetic,
vigorous,
industrious,
determined,
resolute,
indefatigable,
unflagging,
untiring,
unwearied
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unflagging
He was sustained by the unflagging support of his family.
Synonyms
constant,
steady,
tireless,
fixed,
persistent,
staunch,
persevering,
unremitting,
indefatigable,
unfailing,
unceasing,
untiring,
unfaltering,
undeviating,
unwearied
in the sense of unrelenting
Definition
not diminishing in determination, effort, or force
an unrelenting downpour of rain
Synonyms
steady,
constant,
continuous,
endless,
perpetual,
continual,
unbroken,
incessant,
unabated,
ceaseless,
unremitting,
unwavering
in the sense of unremitting
Definition
never slackening or stopping
boarding school, where I spent six years of unremitting miserythanks to his unremitting efforts