perseverance

[ pur-suh-veer-uhns ]
/ ˌpɜr səˈvɪər əns /

noun

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Origin of perseverance

1300–50; Middle English perseveraunce < Middle French perseverance < Latin persevērantia. See persevere, -ance

SYNONYMS FOR perseverance

1 doggedness, steadfastness. Perseverance, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity imply resolute and unyielding holding on in following a course of action. Perseverance commonly suggests activity maintained in spite of difficulties or steadfast and long-continued application: Endurance and perseverance combined to win in the end. It is regularly used in a favorable sense. Persistence, which may be used in either a favorable or an unfavorable sense, implies unremitting (and sometimes annoying) perseverance: persistence in a belief; persistence in talking when others wish to study. Tenacity, with the original meaning of adhesiveness, as of glue, is a dogged and determined holding on. Whether used literally or figuratively it has favorable implications: a bulldog quality of tenacity; the tenacity of one's memory. Pertinacity, unlike its related word, is used chiefly in an unfavorable sense, that of overinsistent tenacity: the pertinacity of the social climber.

OTHER WORDS FROM perseverance

per·se·ver·ant, adjective non·per·se·ver·ance, noun non·per·se·ver·ant, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for perseverant

British Dictionary definitions for perseverant

perseverance
/ (ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns) /

noun

continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty; persistence
Christianity persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death

Derived forms of perseverance

perseverant, adjective