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

Despite persevering as the winning contestant and taking home $45.6 billion, Gi-hun remains haunted by the experience. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

The team at Stitch Fix also noted that for clients under age 18, Taylor Swift will persevere in her ability to influence fashion in 2025. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 24 Dec. 2024

Neighborhoods, on the other hand, can persevere through changing political tides and experiment with novel approaches to lowering emissions. —Marina Lopes, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

This win was symbolic of Foster’s first season as the head coach at his alma mater, the Bruins persevering through one setback after another. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 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