Synonyms

assert

American

[uh-surt] / əˈsɜrt /

verb (used with object)

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

Synonyms:

support , uphold
to state as having existence; affirm; postulate.

to assert a first cause as necessary.

idioms

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

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

"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

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 )

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.

“Actual medical providers understand the real need for this care,” asserted Liza Brazzle.

From Salon

Soon after, she asserted a right to a share of the estate and demanded a formal DNA test to prove McGuire was her father.

From The Wall Street Journal

Much to the fans' delight, he asserted himself in the opening round, snapping a jab to the body before ripping in stinging uppercuts that clearly troubled TKV.

From BBC

EU officials have asserted that the risks for Belgium of a successful legal challenge are small -- an argument rebutted by the straight-talking De Wever.

From Barron's

But the special master appointed to oversee the sale preferred Elliott’s because it included a settlement with bondholders who asserted collateral rights over Citgo.

From The Wall Street Journal

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