persevere

verb

per·​se·​vere ˌpər-sə-ˈvir 

persevered; persevering

intransitive verb

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

perseveringly

ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The early settlers of the New World persevered in the face of constant hardship and danger. The Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation lost half their number in the first winter to disease and hunger, but their perseverance paid off, and within five years their community was healthy and self-sufficient. Perhaps more remarkable are all the solitary inventors who have persevered in pursuing their visions for years, lacking any financial support and laughed at by the public.

Synonyms

• carry on
• persist

Examples of persevere in a Sentence

She persevered in her studies and graduated near the top of her class.

Even though he was tired, he persevered and finished the race.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite having no insurance and most of its records lost in the fire, the Guard persevered, and new offices were opened on Spring Street (which later became Central Avenue). —arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024

The production team persevered through air raid sirens, power outages, and the echoes of missiles to craft a narrative that captures the resilience, culture, and spirit of the Ukrainian people. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

The Yankees have better starting pitchers, but the Dodgers have persevered through injuries — and their offense has been more consistent. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024

The luxury goods market has survived hundreds of years, and many brands have persevered through geopolitical upheaval and economic turmoil—though the full market declined 8% during the Great Recession, according to Bain. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveren, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverer, perseverer "to last, endure, persist in spite of opposition," borrowed from Latin persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on, (of a condition) continue, last," from per- per- + -sevērāre, verbal derivative of sevērus "stern, austere, severe"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

persevere

verb

per·​se·​vere ˌpər-sə-ˈvi(ə)r 

persevered; persevering

: to keep at something in spite of difficulties, opposition, or discouragement