perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness

Examples of perseverance in a Sentence

The great international collectors and curators, once celebrated for their perceptiveness and perseverance, are now regularly deplored as traffickers in, or receivers of, stolen goods. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Review of Books, 9 Feb. 2006
… a cavalcade of black and brown and female faces spinning stories of hardship and triumph through perseverance. Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 14 Aug. 2000
… he had no-nonsense coaches with hearts of gold who taught him discipline; he learned perseverance from a father who sent him back out to fight after he took a licking … Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 14 Dec. 1998
His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job. Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For every idea saved, true progress requires implementation, adjustment and perseverance. Shay Levister, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Among these, Monét takes the spotlight as the first feature in this exciting expansion, sharing her deeply personal journey of faith, manifestation, and perseverance. Okla Jones, Essence, 5 Dec. 2024 With her punchy vocal delivery, Fleet lights up her bandmates’ mathy post-punk and charmingly imperfect synths with stories about costume contests, downtrodden characters, and clinging to perseverance. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024 His unwavering positive attitude and determination to overcome challenges serve as an inspiration to his peers, demonstrating that true strength comes from embracing adversity with grace and perseverance. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perseverance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveraunce, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverance, parsevrance, borrowed from Latin persevērantia, noun derivative of persevērant-, persevērans "persisting in a course of action, steadfast," from present participle of persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on" — more at persevere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perseverance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perseverance

Cite this Entry

“Perseverance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

perseverance

noun
per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: the action, state, or an instance of persevering
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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