perseverance

noun

per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness

Examples of perseverance in a Sentence

The great international collectors and curators, once celebrated for their perceptiveness and perseverance, are now regularly deplored as traffickers in, or receivers of, stolen goods. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Review of Books, 9 Feb. 2006
… a cavalcade of black and brown and female faces spinning stories of hardship and triumph through perseverance. Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 14 Aug. 2000
… he had no-nonsense coaches with hearts of gold who taught him discipline; he learned perseverance from a father who sent him back out to fight after he took a licking … Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 14 Dec. 1998
His perseverance was rewarded: after many rejections, he finally found a job. Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.
Recent Examples on the Web Through his hard work and his sister’s perseverance, Dwyane went on to accomplish many milestones. Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Her journey to becoming a co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, first broadcast on NBC in 1963, is a study in both perseverance and pivoting. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 Shonen means young boy, and the stories often place these characters on hero’s journeys that stress perseverance and camaraderie. Gene Park, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Chin leads the university’s Asian Exclusion Research Project, an interdisciplinary group that digs into Asian Americans’ tales of prejudice and perseverance. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Their stories exemplify the beauty, joy, pain, and perseverance of Black people. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 With perseverance, Martin’s found her way into a competitive fashion industry — and all without a staff. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 Burrell beamed with pride, taking the step back to liken Little’s commitment this season to his perseverance in finishing the win. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024 Teachers share that Aiden strives to understand new content, actively participates in his learning and growth, shows perseverance with positivity, and takes pride in showing his best. Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perseverance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perseveraunce, borrowed from Anglo-French parseverance, parsevrance, borrowed from Latin persevērantia, noun derivative of persevērant-, persevērans "persisting in a course of action, steadfast," from present participle of persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on" — more at persevere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perseverance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perseverance

Cite this Entry

“Perseverance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perseverance

noun
per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s How to pronounce perseverance (audio)
: the action, state, or an instance of persevering
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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