Persist — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /pər-ˈsist/ per·sist

Meaning & Definition of Persist

Persist (verb)

  1. to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning
  2. to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position
  3. to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (such as a question or an opinion)

Persist (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

    "she persisted in her efforts and eventually got the job she wanted"

    similar: carry on, persevere, gut it out, hang in there
    related: dig in, hang on, keep up, follow through (with), knuckle down
    near: give up, knock off, quit, bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield, falter, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, vacillate, waver, wobble

  2. to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

    "my headache persisted for almost the entire day"

    similar: abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, remain, run on
    related: linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive
    opposite: cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up
    near: abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Related Entry: Persist (beyond) (verb)

Persist (beyond) is a different word from Persist. The synonyms below are for persist (beyond), not for persist.

  1. as in last (beyond), endure (past)

    similar: abide (beyond), endure (past), hold (past), hold out (past), last (beyond), outstay, draw out, perpetuate, survive, succeed, outlast, outlive, outwear

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Persist

The most common words with a similar meaning to Persist:

carry on, persevere, abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, remain, run on, gut it out, hang in there

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Persist

Words with the opposite meaning of Persist:

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words for Persist

dig in, hang on, follow through (with), knuckle down, linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive

Near Antonyms of Persist

give up, knock off, bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield, falter, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, vacillate, waver, wobble, abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Word Forms of Persist

Inflections: persisted, persisting, persists

Derived words: persister (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Persist

Middle French persister, from Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to Latin stare to stand stand

First known use: 1531

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Persist

  • Topics: Common Actions / Verbs

Frequently Asked Questions about Persist

What does "Persist" mean?

"Persist" means to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning. As a verb, it is defined as: to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Persist"?

Other words for "Persist" include carry on, persevere, abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on and hold up. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Persist" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Persist"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Persist". Common alternatives include carry on, persevere, abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up and last.

What is the opposite of "Persist"?

Antonyms of "Persist" include cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end and expire. Near antonyms include give up, knock off, bow and give in.

How do you use "Persist" in a sentence?

Examples of "Persist" in a sentence: "she persisted in her efforts and eventually got the job she wanted"; "my headache persisted for almost the entire day".

Is "Persist" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Persist" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Persist"?

"Persist" is pronounced /pər-ˈsist/ and divided into syllables as per·sist.

What is the origin of the word "Persist"?

"Persist" comes from Middle French persister, from Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to Latin stare to stand stand. First known use: 1531.