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
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
Yet Sobule recognized the persistent sexism that followed her and her peers onto television and the covers of magazines.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The program provides monthly payments of $1,200 to young people who recently aged out of extended foster care, yet the baseline data reveals persistent struggles: 70% of participants frequently worry about paying bills, 40% experienced homelessness in the past year, and 70% face food insecurity.
—First Place For Youth, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Primates can be persistent, but have more trouble synchronizing their movements.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
In the interview, Clooney chalked up the pair's persistent peace to getting married later in life.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for persistent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The program provides monthly payments of $1,200 to young people who recently aged out of extended foster care, yet the baseline data reveals persistent struggles: 70% of participants frequently worry about paying bills, 40% experienced homelessness in the past year, and 70% face food insecurity.
—First Place For Youth, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Primates can be persistent, but have more trouble synchronizing their movements.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
In the interview, Clooney chalked up the pair's persistent peace to getting married later in life.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for persistent
Cite this Entry
“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persistent. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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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