persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
| \ pər-ˈsi-stənt
, -ˈzi-\
, -ˈzi-\
Definition of persistent
1
: existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such as
a
: retained beyond the usual period
a persistent leaf
b
: continuing without change in function or structure
persistent gills
c
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
d
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
e
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2a
: continuing or inclined to persist in a course
b
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
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Synonyms for persistent
Synonyms
dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, pertinacious, tenacious
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Examples of persistent in a Sentence
Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist.
— Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
— Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
— Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Hot weather and calm winds this summer only helped to validate forecasts that the dead zone would be large and persistent in the Chesapeake in 2019. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Record rain + heat = Chesapeake Bay dead zone among biggest in decades. Crabs, fish are suffocating.," 29 Aug. 2019 Sandoval received a cortisone shot in his elbow and a MRI on Sunday, but the injection did little to mask the persistent pain and inflammation the switch-hitting infielder is forced to deal with. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "Pablo Sandoval’s elbow injury a crushing blow to Giants team that needs his energy," 14 Aug. 2019 Army veteran Abel Gonzalez suffered from persistent pain, anxiety, PTSD and the many side-effects from medications meant to prevent these ailments after jumping out of an airplane and landing on his gear in 2008. — Samantha Lopez, Houston Chronicle, "Veteran says CBD helped him come off medications, now he's assisting others in finding relief," 8 Aug. 2019 Sojourner Truth for her courage, strength, and fearlessness to speak the truth and bring about change and equality in the face of constant and persistent danger and opposition. — Angela Bassett, Marie Claire, "Angela Bassett Is a Procrastinator, but She'll Plan a Great Vacation for You...Eventually," 31 July 2019 Good news for the ozone layer was widely reported in November 2018: global efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances had resulted in a slow but persistent recovery. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "While ozone is recovering, we’re doing things to prolong the process," 30 July 2019 In the canon of women’s self-improvement, the French-girl ideal—the most persistent and prescriptive of the fantasies—is always just one pouty red lip, a marinière, and a pair of skinny jeans away from becoming real. — Lindsey Tramuta, Glamour, "These Women Are Redefining What It Means to Have ‘Parisian Style’," 26 July 2019 Many people with persistent pain, for example, don’t develop tolerance and stay on the same dose of opioids for a long time. — Derek Mcginni, Harper's magazine, "Junk Science," 22 July 2019 Preventing this will require close international monitoring as well as persistent badgering from the streets. — The Economist, "The Sudan peace deal is greeted with little excitement," 8 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persistent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for persistent
persistent
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of persistent
: continuing to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop
: continuing beyond the usual, expected, or normal time : not stopping or going away
See the full definition for persistent in the English Language Learners Dictionary
persistent
adjective
per·sist·ent
| \ pər-ˈsi-stənt
\
\
Kids Definition of persistent
: continuing to act or exist longer than usual
a persistent cold
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
| \ -tənt
\
\
Medical Definition of persistent
1
: existing or continuing for a long time: as
a
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
b
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
c
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years