Synonyms

insist

American

[in-sist] / ɪnˈsɪst /

verb (used without object)

to be emphatic, firm, or resolute on some matter of desire, demand, intention, etc..

He insists on checking every shipment.
to lay emphasis in assertion.

to insist on the justice of a claim.
to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on orupon ).

to insist on a point in a discussion.

verb (used with object)

to assert or maintain firmly.

He insists that he saw the ghosts.
to demand or persist in demanding.

I insist that you see this thing through.

Synonyms:

require, urge

insist British

/ ɪnˈsɪst /

verb

to make a determined demand (for)

he insisted that his rights be respected
he insisted on his rights
to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)

he insisted that she was mad
he insisted on her madness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

insister noun
insistingly adverb
overinsist verb (used without object)
reinsist verb (used without object)
superinsist verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of insist

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin insistere “to stand still on, persist in,” from in- in- ² + sistere “to cause to stand, stop” ( stand )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But by not insisting on cabinet positions in return for their votes in parliament, the People's Party allowed Anutin to fill his cabinet with capable technocrats, burnishing his credentials as a can-do leader.

From BBC

Vonn, 41, insisted that the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in a crash in a World Cup race before the Milan-Cortina Games "had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever".

From Barron's

"This does not affect my return in the slightest. Quite the opposite," she insisted.

From Barron's

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Monday that ripping up unprofitable grape vines was a necessary part of revitalising the flagging wine sector which he promised to defend.

From Barron's

Discord insisted the measures came with privacy protections, saying video selfies for age estimation never leave users' devices and that submitted identity documents are deleted quickly.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023