insist

American  

[in-sist] / ɪnˈsɪst /

verb (used without object)

insists, present (3rd person singular) insisted, past participle, past insisting present participle

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

   He insists on checking every shipment.

2. to lay emphasis in assertion.

   to insist on the justice of a claim.

3. to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to insist on a point in a discussion.

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verb (used with object)

insists, present (3rd person singular) insisted, past participle, past insisting present participle

1. to assert or maintain firmly.

   He insists that he saw the ghosts.

2. to demand or persist in demanding.

   I insist that you see this thing through.

   Synonyms:

   require, urge

insist British  

/ ɪnˈsɪst /

verb

1. to make a determined demand (for)

   he insisted that his rights be respected

   he insisted on his rights

2. to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)

   he insisted that she was mad

   he insisted on her madness

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have insisted
  perfect
• has insisted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am insisting
  progressive 1st person singular
• insists
  singular 3rd person
• have been insisting
  perfect progressive
• are insisting
  progressive
• insisting
  participle
• is insisting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been insisting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had insisted
  perfect
• were insisting
  progressive plural
• was insisting
  progressive singular
• insisted
  simple
• had been insisting
  perfect progressive
• insisted
  participle

Future

• will insist
  simple
• will have insisted
  perfect
• will have been insisting
  perfect progressive
• will be insisting
  progressive

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” ( see also stand)

Explanation

To insist on something is to demand or swear to it. You can insist that you didn't eat the last piece of cake, and then insist that your brother show your mom the bits of frosting on his fingers. The verb insist comes from the Latin insistere, meaning “persist,” “dwell upon,” or “stand on.” To insist on something, like a room with a view, is to say that you must have it. To insist that you never met that man before in your life — even though there's a picture of the two of you together — is to claim that you're telling the truth. To insist on tapping your foot on the chair leg is annoying.

Example Sentences

Russell had continued to insist everything was well - until Monaco.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

But the people behind the Obama Presidential Center insist that despite its brutalist appearance, the monument reflects the core messages of his 2009-2017 presidency.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

White House officials insist that IndyCar and the UFC are extremely popular with everyday Americans: the race and the fights will be exuberant celebrations of patriotism and pride, they say.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Watch out for preparers who insist on being paid a large sum upfront.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

“If we go to trial, the first thing I’ll do is insist you remove yourself from the case.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• assert
• contend
• demand
• hold
• maintain
• press
• reiterate
• repeat
• request
• stand firm
• urge
• vow