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.

Sauer also had to insist that unauthorized immigrants and temporary visitors owe allegiance to their home countries rather than the U.S., thus removing their children from his tortured definition of jurisdiction.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

City Property insist the proposed rent would be up to 12 times higher than current costs if a commercial organisation were the tenants.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Iran are gathering pace, even though Tehran continues to insist talks with the United States are not happening.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Also, President Trump continued to insist that his administration was in talks with Iran, the team notes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“Jonah and I make no sense,” I insist.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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