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View synonyms for persistent

persistent

[ per-sis-tuhnt, -zis- ]

adjective

  1. persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering:

    a most annoyingly persistent young man.

    Synonyms: tenacious, pertinacious, indefatigable

  2. lasting or enduring tenaciously:

    the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.

  3. constantly repeated; continued:

    persistent noise.

    Synonyms: steady, constant

    Antonyms: sporadic

  4. Biology.
    1. continuing or permanent.
    2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
  5. Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.


persistent

/ pəˈsɪstənt /

adjective

  1. showing persistence
  2. incessantly repeated; unrelenting

    your persistent questioning

  3. (of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering

    a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth

  4. zoology
    1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult

      persistent gills in axolotls

    2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth

      persistent teeth

  5. (of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • perˈsistently, adverb
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Other Words From

  • per·sistent·ly adverb
  • nonper·sistent adjective
  • nonper·sistent·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of persistent1

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns ), present participle of persistere “to stand firm, persist”; persist, -ent
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Example Sentences

Instead, those vendors are afforded more persistent cookies that aren’t capped by ITP to a week.

From Digiday

Italy has huge problems with a no-growth economy, persistent corruption and intractable political infighting.

From Fortune

The observations hint that the most successful males might be the ones that worked the hardest and remained persistent.

While no one can say for sure that intact virus isn’t hiding in a cell somewhere in this person’s body, the finding suggests that some people’s immune systems can get the upper hand, essentially eliminating the pernicious and persistent virus.

There have been persistent reports of troop build-ups right along the 3,500 kilometre frontier with China.

The North Korean hackers have proven to be a persistent adversary, if not the most skilled one.

One of the most persistent myths in American politics is the media-fueled concept of the lame duck.

However, throughout their relationship, there were persistent rumors that Brown was also still seeing Rihanna.

Persistent rumors that Darren Wilson will not be indicted for putting six bullet holes in teenager Michael Brown.

One possible answer was that the animal integrated fragments of the virus into its genes as a result of persistent infection.

As a rule, however, persistent glycosuria is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus, of which disease it is the essential symptom.

Persistent glycosuria has been noted in brain injuries involving the floor of the fourth ventricle.

The courage and persistent hard work of the settlers and the leadership of Captain John Smith were invaluable.

She ran lightly down the stairs, pausing at the foot, as if ashamed of her persistent curiosity.

By persistent personal effort and the use of some political influence, he secured an appointment as Indian agent.

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persistence of visionpersistent cruelty