assert

[ uh-surt ]

/ əˈsɜrt /

|||

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verb (used with object)

to state with assurance, confidence, or force; state strongly or positively; affirm; aver: He asserted his innocence of the crime.

to maintain or defend (claims, rights, etc.).

to state as having existence; affirm; postulate: to assert a first cause as necessary.

Nearby words

Idioms

assert oneself, to insist on one's rights, declare one's views forcefully, etc.: The candidate finally asserted himself about property taxes.

Origin of assert

1595–1605; < Latin assertus joined to, defended, claimed (past participle of asserere), equivalent to as- as- + ser- (see series) + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR assert

1. asseverate, avow, maintain. 2. uphold, support.

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ANTONYMS FOR assert

1. deny.

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Related forms

as·sert·er, as·ser·tor, nounas·sert·i·ble, adjectivemis·as·sert, verb (used with object)o·ver·as·sert, verb (used with object)

pre·as·sert, verb (used with object)re·as·sert, verb (used with object)

Synonym study

1. See declare. 2. See maintain.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for assert

As leaders across the world continue to assert, the war is far from won.
Millions Promised for Ebola Not Adding Up|Abby Haglage|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was forced to bring two male “identity verifiers” to assert who I was, despite the fact that I carried my ID card with me.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the Veil|Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I yo AIRGORDON and the rest of my Yo friends when I wake up for no discernible reason, other than to assert my existence.
The Zen of Yo|Dale Eisinger|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, some assert that killing whales is necessary to prevent world starvation.
Welcome to Japan’s Whale Week, Featuring Curried Whale Meat And Exploding Harpoons|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In a previous attempt to assert direct control over the Internet, the FCC lost in court.
The FCC Must Ignore the Silly ‘Net Neutrality’ Advocates|Nick Gillespie|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I'm not going to assert myself, or defend myself in any way—to you.
Lord Loveland Discovers America|C. N. Williamson
Here again, I make so bold as to assert, there is no royal road.
Chats on Old Miniatures|J. J. Foster
Is it not unreasonable to assert that Mars, or Venus, in a certain position, should produce adulteries?
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4|Plotinos (Plotinus)
He exerted all his art and persuasion with Edward to assert his title to the crown of France.
Cassell's History of England, Vol. I (of 9)|Anonymous
Some assert that it is only a leap, and this is the prevailing opinion.
The Ocean Waifs|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for assert

assert

/ (əˈsɜːt) /

verb (tr)

to insist upon (rights, claims, etc)

(may take a clause as object) to state to be true; declare categorically

to put (oneself) forward in an insistent manner

Derived Formsasserter or assertor, nounassertible, adjective

Word Origin for assert

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

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

Word Origin and History for assert

assert

c.1600, "declare," from Latin assertus, past participle of asserere "claim, maintain, affirm" (see assertion). Related: Asserted; asserting. To assert oneself "stand up for one's rights" is recorded from 1879.