Standard Lemma guide

perseveration

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /pəˌsɛvəˈɹeɪʃən/
  • US: /pɚˌsɛvəˈɹeɪʃən/

1

noun

Meaning 1

An uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus, usually caused by a brain injury or other organic disorder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The tendency to continue or repeat an act or activity after the cessation of the original stimulus.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The act or an instance of persevering; perseverance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

An argument by repetition; a mantra.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, derogatory, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his perseveration continued to the point where it was no longer appropriate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: perseverance, persistence

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: continuance, continuation

6

noun

Meaning 6

the tendency for a memory or idea to persist or recur without any apparent stimulus for it

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: inclination, disposition, tendency

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: juuttuminen — psychology: uncontrollable repetition of a particular response
  • Finnish: perseveraatio — psychology: uncontrollable repetition of a particular response
  • Finnish: juuttuminen — psychology: tendency to continue after the cessation of the original stimulus
  • Finnish: perseveraatio — psychology: tendency to continue after the cessation of the original stimulus