assert

American  

[uh-surt] / əˈsɜrt /

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.

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idioms

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

   The candidate finally asserted himself about property taxes.

assert British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See declare. See maintain.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of assert

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 )

Explanation

Asserting is all about standing up for what you believe. You might assert an opinion, your innocence, or even your authority over someone else. The verb assert can be used for both opinions and for oneself. When asked, you can politely assert your desire to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If no one listens to you, you can assert yourself and forcefully state that you really want to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If that fails, you should just take yourself to the amusement park for your birthday. And get better friends.

Example Sentences

Even more telling was Tehran’s insistence that it would continue to assert control over Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Doctors who use speech to harm their patients “can now assert a First Amendment right to carry on, regardless of these standards.”

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Therefore, they assert, at least some of the gains reported by investors are due not to real advances in an asset’s value, but to inflation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

It is much too soon to assert that this is likely or even plausible.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Thus, it could assert its power over the fortunes of later generations and had to be appeased or controlled.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

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