assert

American  

[uh-surt] / əˈsɜrt /

verb (used with object)

asserts, present (3rd person singular) asserted, past participle, past asserting present participle

1. to state with assurance, confidence, or force; state strongly or positively; affirm; aver.

   He asserted his innocence of the crime.

   Synonyms:

   maintain, avow, asseverate

   Antonyms:

   deny

2. to maintain or defend (claims, rights, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   support, uphold

3. to state as having existence; affirm; postulate.

   to assert a first cause as necessary.

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idioms

1. assert oneself, to insist on one's rights, declare one's views forcefully, etc..

   The candidate finally asserted himself about property taxes.

assert British  

/ əˈsɜːt /

verb

1. to insist upon (rights, claims, etc)

2. (may take a clause as object) to state to be true; declare categorically

3. to put (oneself) forward in an insistent manner

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Synonym Usage

See declare. See maintain.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• assertor
  noun
• reassert
  verb (used with object)
• assertible
  adjective
• preassert
  verb (used with object)
• asserter
  noun
• overassert
  verb (used with object)
• misassert
  verb (used with object)

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has asserted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have asserted
  perfect
• am asserting
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been asserting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is asserting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• asserting
  participle
• are asserting
  progressive
• asserts
  singular 3rd person
• have been asserting
  perfect progressive

Past

• had asserted
  perfect
• had been asserting
  perfect progressive
• was asserting
  progressive singular
• were asserting
  progressive plural
• asserted
  simple
• asserted
  participle

Future

• will assert
  simple
• will have asserted
  perfect
• will have been asserting
  perfect progressive
• will be asserting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of assert

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin assertus “joined to, defended, claimed,” past participle of asserere “to join to, defend,” from as- as- + serere “to connect” ( cf. series)

Explanation

Asserting is all about standing up for what you believe. You might assert an opinion, your innocence, or even your authority over someone else. The verb assert can be used for both opinions and for oneself. When asked, you can politely assert your desire to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If no one listens to you, you can assert yourself and forcefully state that you really want to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If that fails, you should just take yourself to the amusement park for your birthday. And get better friends.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the January 6, 2026, print edition as 'New Regime Is Rushing to Assert Control'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

The members of the Holy Alliance intended also to Assert Fernando VII’s control over his rebellious American colonies.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

Assert sweeping claims of executive privilege, they advised him, after Mr. Corcoran had suggested that an unspecified “chief judge” would ultimately validate their belief that a president’s powers extend far beyond their time in office.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022

Tenants unknown Assert their squalid lease of sin With earlier title than his own.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2013

Assert your independence! throw out your banners to the wind!

From Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence The Best Speeches Delivered by the Negro from the days of Slavery to the Present Time by Dunbar-Nelson, Alice Moore

Related Words

• affirm
• allege
• argue
• cite
• claim
• contend
• defend
• proclaim
• profess
• say
• stress
• uphold