persist
13 synonyms and 3 antonyms for persist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use persist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
symptoms persist
persist in doing something
Etymology
From Latin persistere, "to stand firm," from per- ("thoroughly") + sistere ("to stand").
Full origin of persist →Frequently asked questions
What does “persist” mean?
The word “persist” means to continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition. In plain terms, to keep going, or to keep happening, without stopping.
How do you pronounce “persist”?
“Persist” is pronounced puh-SIHST (/pɚˈsɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “persist” in a sentence?
Here is “persist” used in a sentence: “She persisted with her research even after the funding was cut.”
What is another word for “persist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “persist” include remain, abide, aby, astand, endure and go on.
What is the opposite of “persist”?
The opposite of “persist” — its antonyms — are break, yield and fail.
What part of speech is “persist”?
“Persist” is a verb.
Where does the word “persist” come from?
The word “persist” comes from Latin. From Latin persistere, "to stand firm," from per- ("thoroughly") + sistere ("to stand").
Is “persist” a common word?
“Persist” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
