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to persist

to persist

61 3.5
To keep existing for a long time, often longer than expected
  • verb
  • /pərˈsɪst/
translation icon : persistir
  • Yet the drive to explore and set records persists among both women and men.
  • likely to persist
  • problems persist
  • persist over time

Invasion happens and it persists. Ukraine doesn't just win right away

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Examples

  • And that trouble would persist for decades to come.

  • In contrast, other species may persist without direct population management if appropriate habitat is available.

    Academic text (2012)

  • If the symptoms persist, you will need to see another specialist... for a second opinion.

    Faces in the Crowd (2011)

  • And those ideas persisted for a long time.

  • And what I find is wild is that that pattern persists long after people know better.

  • But the corruption in the political system still persists.

    Gussy (2022)

  • Low birth weight and preterm birth are associated with health problems that can persist into adulthood.

  • Symptoms generally begin in the perimenopausal stage and persist for one to five years after menstruation stops.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Legends of giant gorillas have persisted for some time.

    King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963)

  • The problems with the software will persist until we find a solution.

Synonyms

to stay
vsto persist
∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

is used for lasting longer than expected rather than only not leaving
to remain
vsto persist
∞ 1.0

To stay in the same place or state and not change

highlights continuing beyond what is expected rather than just staying unchanged
to last
vsto persist
∞ 1.0

To continue for a period of time

emphasizes continuing beyond what is expected rather than ordinary duration
to stick
vsto persist
∞ 3.5

To stay loyal to someone or a group

is more general, focusing on lasting beyond expectation rather than loyalty or attachment
to continue
vsto persist
586 1.0

To stay in the same job or role

emphasizes lasting beyond expectation rather than just maintaining a state
to linger
vsto persist
207 3.7

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

is used for lasting beyond expectation in general, not only for staying in place
to endure
vsto persist
94 3.6

To continue to exist for a long time despite problems

is used when lasting beyond expectation without stressing struggle or hardship
to prevail
vsto persist
49 5.3

To continue to exist and be used or accepted over time

means lasting beyond expectation rather than staying accepted or official
to keep on
vsto persist
24 2.2

Continue to have someone working for you

emphasizes lasting beyond expectation rather than preserving employment or a role
to die hard
vsto persist
14 7.3

To last for a long time even when people try to stop or change it

is more general, not only used for beliefs resisting change
to perdure
vsto persist
  • Formal
9.9

To last for a very long time

focuses on lasting beyond expected time rather than simply very long duration

Antonyms

to disappear
∞ 1.0

To stop being seen or to no longer be there

to cease
324 3.6

To stop or come to an end

to terminate
147 4.6

To make something stop or finish

Phrasal Verbs

to persist in
20 4.1

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

How Long

to endure
94 3.6
to persist
61 3.5
to linger
207 3.7
to last
∞ 1.0
to fade
531 1.2

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', so it literally meant 'stand through'. That's why something that persists keeps on existing or lasts longer than you might expect.