PersistTo continue doing something despite difficulty or pressure to quit. is a verb with a few related but distinctClearly different from one another; not the same. meanings. Most commonlyUsually; in the most typical or frequent way., it means to keep going or continue doing something even when it is difficult or when someone wants you to stop.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pərˈsɪst/
Easy pronunciation: per-SIST (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: sist.
Verb meaning to keep doing something and not stop, even when it is hard or unwelcome.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Persist Meaning
to continue firmly and not give up
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to keep doing something and not stop, even when it is hard or unwelcome
Example: She persisted in asking questions until she got an answer.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- persevere — A strong synonym for continuing despite difficulty.
- hold on — Works in informal contexts meaning to continue without giving up.
- hang on — Informal; can mean to keep going or not stop.
- hang in — Informal; means to keep going through difficulty.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Persist
Meaning 2
to keep existing
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to continue to exist or remain over time
Example: The belief persists even though there is little evidence for it.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- endure — Can mean to continue to exist over time.
- die hard — Usually used for beliefs, habits, or customs that are hard to get rid of.
- prevail — Can fit when something continues or remains widespread, but it is less direct than persist.
Meaning 3
to remain somewhere
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to stay in a place instead of leaving
Example: The smell of smoke persisted in the room after the fire was out.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- remain — A direct substitute in this sense.
- stay — A direct substitute in this sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Persist Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- persevere
- hold on
- hang on
- hang in
continue to exist
- endure
- die hard
- prevail
stay in a place
- remain
- stay
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse persist with persevere: persevere means to keep trying, while persist can also mean to continue existing or remaining.
- Do not use persist for simple movement or running; it usually means continuing, lasting, or remaining.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does persist mean?
Persist usually means to keep doing something and not stop, especially when it is difficult. It can also mean to continue existing or to remain somewhere.
What is a synonym for persist?
For the main sense, good synonyms include persevere, hold on, hang on, and hang in. For other senses, persist can mean remain, stay, or endure depending on the context.
Is persist the same as persevere?
They are close in the main sense. Persevere means to keep trying despite difficulty, and persist often means to continue steadily or refuse to stop.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.