persisted; persisting; persists
1
: to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning
2
obsolete
: to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position
3
: to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (such as a question or an opinion)
4
: to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time
persister
noun
Examples of persist in a Sentence
She had turned him down for a date before, but he persisted and asked her again.
The reporter persisted with his questioning.
If you persist with this behavior, you will be punished.
Must you persist in making that noise?
If the pain persists, see a doctor.
Doubts about the defendant's story have persisted for some time now.
Rumors persist that they are dating.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tensions persist, and existing agreements have not led to a full reconciliation.
—
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The tech industry’s hunger for power in the South Bay is expected to persist, said Jake Zigelman, a PG&E vice president who heads up the utility’s operations in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
The White House released a full list of individuals and companies sponsoring the project on Thursday as questions about funding persisted.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Oct. 2025
The White House warned that millions of low-income families could lose their Women, Infants, and Children benefits by early November if the shutdown persists and the program doesn't receive additional funding.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The tech industry’s hunger for power in the South Bay is expected to persist, said Jake Zigelman, a PG&E vice president who heads up the utility’s operations in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
The White House released a full list of individuals and companies sponsoring the project on Thursday as questions about funding persisted.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Oct. 2025
The White House warned that millions of low-income families could lose their Women, Infants, and Children benefits by early November if the shutdown persists and the program doesn't receive additional funding.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persist
Cite this Entry
“Persist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persist. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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