Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Persevere”?

Persevere means to continue in spite of difficulty.

• Correct answer - to persist: it has the same meaning as Persevere.
• deserve: to merit - wrong, it does not mean the same as Persevere.
• to equalise: to make equal - wrong, it does not mean the same as Persevere.
• reserve: to keep for later - wrong, it does not mean the same as Persevere.