persistentper‧sis‧tent /pəˈsɪstənt $ pər-/ ●○○ AWL adjective 
persistent rumours persistent headaches a persistent problem persistent rain2continuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it: If she hadn’t been so persistent she might not have gotten the job. persistent efforts Persistent offenders (=people who often break the law) face a prison sentence.—persistently adverb: persistently low rainfall
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- persistent efforts to bring the warring factions together
- He has a persistent cough because of his smoking.
- The country has suffered from persistent economic problems.
- The U.S. trade deficit has been a persistent problem.
- It is Carney, though, deferential but persistent, who does most of the questioning.
- Not withstanding a clear description of the from / to challenge as well as persistent feedback and discussion, Tom is stalled.
- The other, related mistake is the persistent tendency of Malthusians to underestimate human ingenuity.
- This lack of involution results in so called calibre persistent submucosal arteries.
- When added to the usual treatments for this condition it cleared up persistent ulcers in 40 out of 60 cases.
THESAURUS
if you are determined to do something, you have decided that you are definitely going to do it, and you will not let anything stop you. Determined is also used about someone’s character, when they usually behave in this way: · I was determined to be a doctor.· She’s a very determined woman.
determined not to change what you are doing, especially when other people think you are behaving in an unreasonable way. Stubborn is often used when you disapprove of someone. It is also sometimes used when you admire them: · I wish you would stop being so stubborn!· Churchill’s stubborn refusal to surrender
someone who is single-minded works very hard in order to achieve one particular thing, and thinks that everything else is much less important: · During a war, a leader must be single-minded and, if necessary, ruthless.· her single-minded pursuit of power
determined to succeed, even if a situation is difficult or frightening: · In competitive sports, it is as important to be mentally tough as it is to be physically fit.· Gorelick is known as a tough manager.
showing by your behaviour that you are determined not to change your mind, especially when you are telling someone what to do: · What this country needs is firm leadership.· You have to be firm with young children.
determined and full of energy, and not afraid to say what you think and argue with people – used especially when you admire this person. Feisty is often used about women: · In the film she plays a feisty young woman who is smarter than all the men put together.· a feisty kid with a mind of his own· the city’s feisty mayor
determined to do what you want, without listening to other people’s advice or thinking about the results of your actions – used especially about young people: · Her sister was headstrong and impulsive, and made a point of going out whenever and wherever she liked.
formal doing something in a very determined way because you have very strong beliefs, aims etc: · the soldiers’ resolute defence of the town
formal determined and refusing to give up: · McTaggart was seen by many in the environment movement as a tenacious hero.· his tenacious grip on power
[only before noun] dogged behaviour shows that you are very determined and that you will not give up – used especially in the following phrases: dogged determination/persistence/resistance/refusal: · The team played with dogged determination.· his dogged refusal to admit defeat· the dogged persistence of the defenders
continuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it: · If you want to get a job, you have to be persistent. Don’t give up.
always very determined to do what you want to do, even if other people think it is not a good idea to do it: · She has always been a strong-willed child.
someone who is ruthless is so determined to get what they want, that they do not care if they harm other people: · a ruthless dictator· He was ruthless in his ambition.
to be determined to do something and show other people that you are determined to do it, even if it involves harming someone: · The one-day strike proved that the union meant business.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something unpleasant continues for a long time use this about something annoying or unpleasant that continues for a long time without stopping: · The deadline was getting closer and we were under continual pressure to reach our targets.· The exhaustion felt by new parents comes from the continual disturbance of their sleep patterns.
use this about an unpleasant or frightening situation that continues for a long time without stopping: · She has learned to put up with the constant roar of trucks and cars whizzing by.· People under the regime lived in constant fear.· Lehman is in constant pain, and suffers from a severe form of arthritis.
use this about an unpleasant or upsetting situation that is always there and does not change: · For many working mothers, balancing the demands of children and job is a perpetual strain.· Those who remain in the city are in perpetual danger of being hit by bullets and shells.
something unpleasant and annoying, especially a noise, that is incessant continues over a long period of time and never stops: · Outside the window is the incessant noise of cars and buses.· She gave two- or three-word answers to reporters' incessant questions .· The incessant rain has meant that many matches had to be cancelled.
: nagging doubt/fear/worry/suspicion etc a doubt etc that is probably unnecessary but that stays with you all the time and does not go away: · She had a nagging worry that she hadn't done enough to prepare.· I have a nagging feeling that I forgot to do something.· There are still some nagging doubts about the future of the company, though for now it is doing well.
use this about something unpleasant, boring, or tiring that continues for so long that you think it will never end or change: · How can I stop my children's endless quarrelling?· The wet winter days seemed at times unending.· His immune system failed, and he caught a never-ending series of viruses and infections.
a persistent problem or illness is not very serious but it continues to exist even though you try to get rid of it: · He has a persistent cough because of his smoking.· The country has suffered from persistent economic problems.
formal an unpleasant situation or feeling that is unrelenting continues for a long time without stopping: · The unrelenting pressures of the job started to affect her health.· The relief efforts have been hindered by unrelenting bad weather.· The unrelenting air attack on the country continued.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Persistent offenders (=people who often break the law) face a prison sentence.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES At 16, Scott was already a persistent offender (=someone who has been caught several times for committing crimes).
Persistent offenders (=people who often break the law) face a prison sentence. (=one that is difficult to cure)
At 16, Scott was already a persistent offender (=someone who has been caught several times for committing crimes). (=one that keeps being repeated for a long time)· Despite persistent rumours of an affair, his wife stood by him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Others had a more persistent disorder, some of whom had already been treated unsuccessfully.· Over a period of years of this pattern, patients may gradually have more and more persistent neurological changes.
· The files show that Booth, Electrophone's founder, was a most persistent individual.· The most persistent rumor last week was that the Larimore Dam had broken.· The idea that they do so is one of the most persistent slimming myths of all.· These Normandy mosquitoes were the largest and most persistent that I had ever encountered.· And, anyway, it's not the strongest stallion but the most persistent that wins a contest.· This is when Sardinia has its most persistent winds.
· The theme is so persistent as to invite analysis.· Rain was so persistent in 1930 at Riviera that par was broken exactly once.· Why, despite some gains, does this inequality remain so persistent?
· Although the infection cleared up, he was left with a mild diarrhoea that proved very persistent.· Rather, it meant being very persistent when she got into her escape pattern, or left open circles of communication.· This research has shown that certain misconceptions commonly arise which can be very persistent, yet go unnoticed.· Although she told him she had nothing to say which might help, he was very persistent.
NOUN· The commonest symptom is a persistent cough, with frequent bouts of chest infection.· They are being urged to see their own doctors if they develop symptoms such as a persistent cough, sweating or weight loss.· These may include night sweats, swollen glands, weight loss or a persistent cough.
· Their ascent, by an intricate route on the south-east flank, came only after prolonged and persistent effort.
· Be persistent Failure can not live with persistence, so, providing you keep trying, you can not fail.· More especially, what accounts for Labour's abject and persistent failures?
· All had persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus.· Treatment is straight forward, but one person in 10 will suffer chronic and persistent infection.
· Good referees are quick to pick up on this and impose penalties for persistent offenders.· I must ask my right hon. Friend to wait for an answer to his question about persistent offenders.· He said one of his main concerns was the problem of persistent offenders.· But the Government accepts that for persistent offenders some kind of youth detention must also be available to the courts.· Male speaker I think the company should take action against the persistent offenders, not penalise everybody.· The authority has warned that it will not hesitate to prosecute persistent offenders.
· When persistent problems do occur there may be an underlying medical reason.· Police violence against blacks remained a persistent problem.· Rusedski is recovering from an operation to clear up a persistent problem in the tendons of his right foot.· But in our view, they are too often looked upon as cure-all solutions to persistent problems.· The persistent problem of over-legislating and under-resourcing was highlighted.· With such programmes there is, however, a persistent problem of renewal of connection with the classroom.
· Despite persistent rumours in Washington of further infidelities, Mr Clinton says there will be no more surprises about him.
WORD FAMILYnounpersistenceadjectivepersistentverbpersistadverbpersistently
1[usually before noun] continuing to exist or happen, especially for longer than is usual or desirable: persistent rumours persistent headaches a persistent problem persistent rain2continuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it: If she hadn’t been so persistent she might not have gotten the job. persistent efforts Persistent offenders (=people who often break the law) face a prison sentence.—persistently adverb: persistently low rainfall