persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsi-stənt 
-ˈzi-
1
: existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such as
a
: retained beyond the usual period
a persistent leaf
b
: continuing without change in function or structure
persistent gills
c
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
d
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
e
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
a
: continuing or inclined to persist in a course
b
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
persistently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of persistent in a Sentence
Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Recent Examples on the Web
Breakthrough Energy partnered with Google Research and American Airlines to develop software that plans flight routes to avoid areas where persistent contrails are likely to form.
—Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2024
Poverty has been a persistent issue, as has persuading young people to choose to stay in Columbus.
—Rick Rojas Kate Medley, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Yet inflation remains persistent, stuck between 3 percent and 3.8 percent year over year, as measured by the CPI, every month since June 2023.
—The Editors, National Review, 26 Apr. 2024
But the persistent rise in rates over the last two years has been far more sweeping.
—Damian J. Troise, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2024
That has raised persistent concerns in the U.S., most recently from the commander of the U.S. Space Command, Gen. Stephen Whiting.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
Your runny nose could be from chronic rhinosinusitis, a persistent inflammatory condition that causes the sinuses to swell for more than three months.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024
For instance, administration officials at the speaker’s request briefed Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Ralph Norman, R-S.C., two conservatives who were persistent antagonists of Johnson.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Heading into a presidential election, Burns-Tucker added that the move could further discourage voters and contribute to persistent distrust in the federal government.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2024
Poverty has been a persistent issue, as has persuading young people to choose to stay in Columbus.
—Rick Rojas Kate Medley, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024
Yet inflation remains persistent, stuck between 3 percent and 3.8 percent year over year, as measured by the CPI, every month since June 2023.
—The Editors, National Review, 26 Apr. 2024
But the persistent rise in rates over the last two years has been far more sweeping.
—Damian J. Troise, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2024
That has raised persistent concerns in the U.S., most recently from the commander of the U.S. Space Command, Gen. Stephen Whiting.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024
Your runny nose could be from chronic rhinosinusitis, a persistent inflammatory condition that causes the sinuses to swell for more than three months.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024
For instance, administration officials at the speaker’s request briefed Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Ralph Norman, R-S.C., two conservatives who were persistent antagonists of Johnson.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Heading into a presidential election, Burns-Tucker added that the move could further discourage voters and contribute to persistent distrust in the federal government.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persistent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near persistent
Cite this Entry
“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persistent. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsis-tənt
-ˈzis-
1
: continuing, existing, or acting for a long or longer than usual time
a persistent cold
persistent gills
2
: stubbornly determined
persistently
adverb
Medical Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
-tənt
1
: existing or continuing for a long time: as
a
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
b
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
c
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
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