Definitions

persist

[per-sist, -zist] / pərˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

VERB

carry on, carry through

Synonyms

STRONGEST

carry on carry over continue endure go on linger persevere prevail pursue recur remain

STRONG

abide grind insist last obtain perseverate repeat strive

WEAK

be resolute be stubborn follow through follow up go all the way go the limit hold on keep up leave no stone unturned perdure see through stick it out stick to guns tough it out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease discontinue give up go halt leave stop

STRONG

forget

WEAK

quit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While the report outlines that the number of children strip searched has more than halved in four years, it warns that ethnic disparities persist and calls into question the use of force in some cases.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Culp said on a conference call the company expects the Middle East war and its effects to persist through the summer.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Yet higher gas prices could siphon money away from other retailers in the next few months if they persist.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Compared to existing methods, it requires fewer materials and allows the orbital motion to persist much longer.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

Inventors often have to persist at their tinkering for a long time in the absence of public demand, because early models perform too poorly to be useful.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing persist

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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"Bonne Annee," Vocabulary from the personal essay

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This Week in Words: August 13-18, 2017

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