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to persist

to persist

18 5.2
To stay in a place for a long time
  • verb
  • /pərˈsɪst/
  • Formal
translation icon : permanecer
  • There are other species that also manage to persist in the old-growth canopy that exhibit clearly distinctive morphologies.

If you are going to stay or some of these relationships have to persist in your life.

Examples

  • Safety, trust, and candor do not easily persist in the presence of judgment and performance reviews.

    Academic text (2005)

  • As long as we keep telling the old stories, we will persist as a people.

    Academic text (2002)

  • If you are going to stay or some of these relationships have to persist in your life.

    DoctorRamani

  • Ever since I got here, there are these noises that persist in my head.

    BloodRayne (2005)

  • The very idea of allowing a medical imbalance to persist seemed insane.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Support for technology policy persists, but the long-term foundation for the effort remains very tenuous.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Despite 10 days of IV antibiotic therapy, the patient's fever persisted and the cervical lymph node remained enlarged and tender.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Despite the harsh conditions, many species of fish persist in the deep waters of the ocean.

  • The old traditions continue to persist in this village, even as modern influences attempt to change them.

  • If the floods persist, local authorities may need to evacuate the residents from the affected areas.

Synonyms

to stay
vsto persist
∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

is the more formal choice used in careful or formal contexts
to remain
vsto persist
∞ 1.0

To stay in the same place or state and not change

is the more formal term used in official or technical language
to continue
vsto persist
586 1.0

To stay in the same job or role

is the more formal term preferred in formal writing and speech
to stick around
vsto persist
  • Informal
332 2.9

Stay in a place to wait for something

is the more formal and neutral term, not informal waiting language
to linger
vsto persist
207 3.7

To stay in a place longer than expected because you do not want to leave

is more formal and neutral, not implying reluctance to leave
to stay put
vsto persist
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

is the more formal choice used in careful or formal contexts
to stay on
vsto persist
111 3.4

To remain in a place or job after others leave

is not limited to continuing after others have left or after expected time
to dwell
vsto persist
45 3.2

To live in a place such as a house or town

expresses prolonged presence generally, not specifically living at that location
to stay in place
vsto persist
10 1.5

Not move from a place

is the more formal term for long term presence rather than mere motionlessness
to rester
vsto persist
5.3

To stay in one place and not go with others

is used for continued presence generally, not specifically being left behind
to stick about
vsto persist
  • UK
4.1

Stay nearby or wait in a place for a short time

indicates a long lasting presence rather than brief availability

Antonyms

to leave
∞ 1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

to depart
176 1.3

To leave a place to start a journey

Phrasal Verbs

to persist in
20 4.1

To keep doing something even when it is difficult or people disagree

How Long

to reside
91 3.0
to persist
  • Formal
18 5.2
to linger
207 3.7
to remain
∞ 1.0
to stay
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

persist infinitive
persisted past
persisted past participle
persisting present participle
persists third person singular

Etymology

Persist comes from the Latin parts per- 'through' and sistere 'to stand', giving the picture of 'standing in place'. So if someone or something persists in a place, it stays or remains there for a long time.