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.

The prime minister insisted there was "no misleading", pointing to downgraded forecasts for economic productivity which he said meant the government had £16bn less than it otherwise would have had.

From BBC

Former England opener Boycott insisted Stokes's men could win at Brisbane's Gabba ground with a more measured approach.

From Barron's

Lawyers for the former security guard called attention to Minaj’s extraordinary net worth, insisting that she is more than “capable” of paying him the damages that he is owed.

From MarketWatch

While Siddiq continued to insist she was not guilty of any wrongdoing, she quit her junior ministerial role in order not to be a "distraction" for the government.

From BBC

The owner insisted that there were no cases of pox on his farm.

From BBC

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