assert

American  

[uh-surt] / əˈsɜrt /

verb (used with object)

asserts, present (3rd person singular) asserted, past participle, past asserting present participle

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.

---

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

---

Synonym Usage

See declare. See maintain.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have asserted
  perfect
• has asserted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are asserting
  progressive
• have been asserting
  perfect progressive
• has been asserting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am asserting
  progressive 1st person singular
• is asserting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• asserting
  participle
• asserts
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had asserted
  perfect
• were asserting
  progressive plural
• had been asserting
  perfect progressive
• was asserting
  progressive singular
• asserted
  simple
• asserted
  participle

Future

• will assert
  simple
• will have asserted
  perfect
• will be asserting
  progressive
• will have been asserting
  perfect progressive

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” ( cf. 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

Wednesday’s deal, like previous ceasefire agreements, calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and for the Lebanese military to assert control across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Iran last month created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority as it tries to assert dominance over the waterway.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

But his program has been hampered by numerous court rulings on the grounds that those targeted must be able to assert their due process rights.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Uthmeier’s theory would render this presumption unconstitutional, because it allows a non-biological father to assert parentage while severing the biological father’s claim to the child.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

First, we must massively assert our dignity and worth.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

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