insist

[ in-sist ]
See synonyms for: insistinsistedinsisting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  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.

  1. to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on or upon): to insist on a point in a discussion.

verb (used with object)
  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.

Origin of insist

1
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 )

Other words for insist

Other words from insist

  • in·sist·er, noun
  • in·sist·ing·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·in·sist, verb (used without object)
  • re·in·sist, verb (used without object)
  • su·per·in·sist, verb (used without object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use insist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insist

insist

/ (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

Origin of insist

1
C16: from Latin insistere to stand upon, urge, from in- ² + sistere to stand

Derived forms of insist

  • insister, noun
  • insistingly, adverb

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