What does persist mean?
To persist is to continue firmly in an action, attitude, or condition, especially when doing so involves difficulty, resistance, or repeated setbacks. The word is often used to describe someone who perseveres: a student persists in studying, an organisation persists in pursuing its goals, or a tradition persists through changing generations. It can also mean simply to remain in existence or unchanged, as when a custom persists or a problem persists. In the sense of repeatedly insisting on a position, persist overlaps with insist, though persist more strongly suggests continued action or endurance. The expression “persist in” is especially common before an activity or course of action, while “persist despite” introduces the obstacle being overcome. Persist is a useful word because it captures both practical perseverance and the phenomenon of something lasting beyond an expected period.
verbTo continue firmly in an action, belief, or way of life despite difficulty, opposition, or discouragement. It can also mean to continue to exist or remain in a particular state.
- To continue firmly despite difficulty, opposition, or discouragement.
- To continue to exist or remain in the same state.
- To insist repeatedly that something should be done or maintained.
"Despite repeated setbacks, she persisted in her efforts to complete the project."
"The tradition has persisted for generations despite changes in social customs."
"She persisted in asking the council to reconsider the proposal."
From the Latin per- (“through or onward”) and sistere (“to stand”), persist literally means to keep standing against interruption.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of persist
The English word comes through French from Latin persistere, a compound of per- (“through,” “onward,” or “intensively”) and sistere (“to stand”). The underlying idea is that of standing firm or continuing onward despite interruption. Latin persistere developed into the modern sense of continuing in a course of action or remaining in existence, while related forms such as insist, assist, resist, and desist share the same root.
Related word forms
How persist is actually used
Persist is widely used in formal and informal contexts. It can carry a positive sense of determination, but it may also suggest stubbornness when someone refuses to change course.
Easily confused with persist
Both words can mean to hold firmly to a position, but insist often emphasizes demanding or firmly stating something, whereas persist usually emphasizes continuing despite difficulty.
Persist means to continue despite obstacles or to remain in existence, while perpetuate means to cause something to continue indefinitely, often unintentionally.