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

Indeed, Belgian designers are known for persevering with a business approach that is often the polar opposite of today’s luxury giants: no advertising, no celebrity dressing, no handbag push, no pre-collections and no glitzy destination shows. —Miles Socha, WWD, 21 June 2024

But the Negro Leagues themselves vindicate the power of the human spirit to persevere and prevail. —Bob Kendrick, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

The Broncos, who also got 13 points and five rebounds from senior power forward Kaleb Coleman, persevered despite employing only seven players for the entire game. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2024

Yet, McMillon persevered, and worked his way up the ranks during a 33-year career at Walmart. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 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