verb
persist
puh-SIHST
verb
1
To continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition.
"She persisted with her research even after the funding was cut."
"If the pain persists for more than a week, see a doctor."
2
To continue existing.
"Rumors about the merger have persisted for months."
How to Use Persist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep going, or to keep happening, without stopping.
Common pairings
symptoms persist
persist in doing something
Word Forms
persisted past tense, persists singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “persist”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ with her research even after the funding was cut.
Etymology
From Latin persistere, "to stand firm," from per- ("thoroughly") + sistere ("to stand").