persistent persistent /pɝˈsɪstənt/

adjective

1. () Never-ceasing  ( unrelenting , relentless , persistent )
   never-ceasing
    The relentless beat of the drums
   the relentless beat of the drums
   
2. () Continually recurring to the mind  ( persistent , haunting )
   continually recurring to the mind
    Haunting memories
   haunting memories
    The cathedral organ and the distant voices have a haunting beauty
   the cathedral organ and the distant voices have a haunting beauty
   
3. (biology) retained; not shed  ( lasting , persistent )
   (biology) retained; not shed
    Persistent leaves remain attached past maturity
   persistent leaves remain attached past maturity
    The persistent gills of fishes
   the persistent gills of fishes
   
4. Stubbornly unyielding  ( dour , persistent , pertinacious , dogged , tenacious , unyielding )
   stubbornly unyielding
    Dogged persistence
   dogged persistence
    Dour determination
   dour determination
    The most vocal and pertinacious of all the critics
   the most vocal and pertinacious of all the critics
    A mind not gifted to discover truth but tenacious to hold it
   a mind not gifted to discover truth but tenacious to hold it
    Men tenacious of opinion
   men tenacious of opinion