stay the course

phrase

: to continue with a process, effort, etc., even though it is difficult
We'll succeed in the end if we just stay the course.

Examples of stay the course in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mayor Mamdani and his schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels, have so far pledged to stay the course with NYC Reads. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 Ormund, cc’d on the mass raven about Aegon’s return from the dead, also decides to stay the course. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 In a category where the biggest risk is beginning without a clear plan, that structure is what helps people actually stay the course and see results. — Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Pakistan would need to stay the course as an honest broker and not get discouraged. — Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay the course

Rhymes for stay the course

See All Rhymes for stay the course

Browse Nearby Words

stay tap
stay the course
stay the night
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stay the course.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20the%20course. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All