Perseveres (8)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">perseveres</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('persist' can be a synonym of 'persevere')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for persists that I've seen before include "Continues firmly or obstinately" , "Is resolute" , "Perseveres in spite of opposition" , "Continues in attitude or objection" , "Continues to exist" .)