Persist

Meaning

Persist means to continue doing or trying something despite difficulty, opposition, or failure. It can also mean to continue to exist or remain present.

Pronunciation

/pəˈsɪst/

Word Forms

• Base form: persist
• Past tense: persisted
• Past participle: persisted
• Present participle: persisting
• Noun: persistence
• Adjective: persistent
• Adverb: persistently

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• persist in doing something — to continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition.
• persist with something — to continue trying to achieve something.
• persist despite difficulties — to continue despite problems or obstacles.
• persist over time — to continue to exist or remain for a long period.
• persist in one's efforts — to continue making efforts toward a goal.
• persistently refuse — to continue refusing something repeatedly.

Example Sentences

• She persisted despite failing several times.
• If you persist with your studies, your English will improve.
• He persisted in asking questions until he understood the problem.
• The team persisted despite facing strong opposition.
• The symptoms persisted for several days.

Literary Example

Example:

“We are made to persist. that's how we find out who we are.”

— Tobias Wolff, In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War

Here, persist means to continue despite difficulty or uncertainty. Wolff connects persistence with discovering one's identity through continuing rather than giving up. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Story Workshop

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Related Words

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