persistent

Continuing for a long time without going away.

• He has a persistent cough.
• Persistent rain delayed the repairs.
• The company still faces persistent financial problems.

Similar words: lasting, continuing, enduring

Opposites: temporary

Common phrases: persistent cough, persistent problem, persistent rain, persistent pain

Continuing to try or demand something even when it is difficult or others want you to stop.

• She is a persistent campaigner.
• The persistent salesman called again yesterday.
• His persistent efforts finally brought results.

How to use it: persistent in doing something (She was persistent in asking for a fair answer.)

Similar words: determined, tenacious, dogged

Common phrases: persistent effort, persistent questioning, persistent in something

Happening again and again, often in an annoying way.

• Persistent knocking woke me up.
• We complained about the persistent interruptions.
• Her persistent questions eventually annoyed the teacher.

Similar words: repeated, incessant

Common phrases: persistent knocking, persistent calls, persistent interruptions

Staying attached to a plant after becoming fully grown, instead of falling off.

• The fruit has a persistent calyx.
• Persistent leaves remain attached through winter.
• These persistent scales protect the mature seeds.

Similar words: retained

Opposites: deciduous

Common phrases: persistent leaves, persistent calyx, persistent scales