persist
/pəˈsɪst
/verb [no object]
1Continue in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition: the minority of drivers who persist in drinking we are persisting with policies that will create jobs for the future...
- He retreated to the ground and did not continue to persist in creating hostile assaults.
- The main effort should focus on finding a solution to the conflict, rather than persisting with the current situation of conflict management.
- But the BCC and the police are firm about persisting with the system.
Synonyms
persevere, continue, carry on, go on, keep at it, keep on, keep going, keep it up, not give up, be persistent, be determined, see/follow something through, show determination, press on/ahead, plod on, plough on, stay with something, not take no for an answer;
be tenacious, be pertinacious, insist, be patient, be diligent, stand one's ground, stand fast/firm, hold on, hold out, go the distance, stay the course, grind away, struggle on, hammer away, stop at nothing, leave no stone unturned
informal plug away, peg away, stick at it, soldier on, hang on, stick to one's guns, stick it out, hang in there, bash on
1.1Continue to exist; be prolonged: if the symptoms persist for more than a few days, then contact your doctor...
- After the operation his symptoms persisted and got worse, leaving him in such pain that he had to be prescribed morphine.
- O'Connor said the symptoms usually persist for a few days and then ease up.
- It says on the packet to consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than seven days.
Synonyms
continue, hold, carry on, last, keep on, keep up, remain, linger, stay, endure, survive
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Latin persistere, from per- 'through, steadfastly' + sistere 'to stand'.
Etymologically, someone who persists in doing something cannot be moved from their course. It comes from Latin persistere, formed from per- ‘through, steadfastly’ and sistere ‘to stand’.