persistent
Americanadjective
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persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering.
a most annoyingly persistent young man.
- Synonyms:
- tenacious, pertinacious, indefatigable
-
lasting or enduring tenaciously.
the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
-
constantly repeated; continued.
persistent noise.
- Antonyms:
- sporadic
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Biology.
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continuing or permanent.
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having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
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Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.
adjective
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showing persistence
-
incessantly repeated; unrelenting
your persistent questioning
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(of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering
a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth
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zoology
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(of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult
persistent gills in axolotls
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continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth
persistent teeth
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(of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable
Synonym Usage
See stubborn.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing persistent
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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List 3
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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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.
"This observation is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with a time when many women report a significant decline in energy levels and the onset of persistent fatigue," adds Dr. Ermolaeva.
From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026
Macklem said senior officials “agreed to look through the war’s near-term impact on inflation but if energy prices stay high, we will not let their effects become broad-based persistent inflation.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Ultimately, Quantinuum’s choppy debut underscores a deeper, persistent truth in quantum computing.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Laurence Findlay, president of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, said there was a "persistent and worsening shortage" of specialist teachers.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
Too clever and too persistent for me, because by the end of our phone conversation, I had agreed he could come to our house just for a "chat."
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
