assert

[uh-surt]

verb (used with object)

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.

assert

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of assert¹

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” ( series )

Word History and Origins

Origin of assert¹

C17: from Latin asserere to join to oneself, from serere to join

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   The candidate finally asserted himself about property taxes.

Synonym Study

See declare. See maintain.

Example Sentences

But the special master appointed to oversee the sale preferred Elliott’s because it included a settlement with bondholders who asserted collateral rights over Citgo.

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Perhaps he got the message, which is why he asserted that he had a cause as a pretext to fire Ms. Cook.

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During opening arguments, Theodora stated that the Angels “know right from wrong,” but he is expected to assert that the case is more about what the team didn’t know.

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“The Honest Eye” tries to address that by asserting that Pissarro painted exactly what he saw.

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In a pointed historical parallel, Xi also asserted that since China and the U.S. “fought side-by-side against fascism and militarism” during World War II, they should now work together to safeguard those achievements.

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Related Words

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