Vocabulary
persistent
adjective·/per-SIS-tuhnt/
Continuing steadily despite difficulty or opposition, not giving up. Persistent means you keep going.
Persistent has two sides depending on context. Applied to a person chasing a goal, it is a virtue, the quality behind most success stories. Applied to a problem ("a persistent cough," "persistent errors"), it is a nuisance that will not go away. In interviews and self-description it is a strong, safe word for grit. Its cousin "persevere" (the verb) and "perseverance" (the noun) are worth keeping in the same mental folder.
5 ways to use “persistent” in a sentence
- “She was persistent without being pushy, and it eventually paid off.”
- “We have a persistent bug that shows up only on Mondays.”
- “Persistent follow-up is how most deals actually close.”
- “He is persistent; ten rejections did not slow him down.”
- “The smell was persistent no matter how much we cleaned.”
Now say "persistent" out loud, in your own sentence.
The fastest way to actually own a word is to use it when you speak, not just read it. Practice in TalkStride and get scored on how clearly it comes out.
Common mistakes
- Confusing it with "stubborn." Persistent is positive effort toward a goal; stubborn is refusing to change your mind.
- Spelling it "persistant"; the ending is "-ent."
- Forgetting it also describes annoying ongoing problems, not just admirable people.
Similar words, and how they differ
tenacious
Tenacious is persistence with extra grip and intensity, holding on hard. Persistent is steady continuation.
stubborn
Stubborn is refusing to change, often unhelpfully. Persistent is constructively not giving up.
determined
Determined is firmly decided to do something. Persistent is the act of continuing at it over time.