insist

American  

[in-sist] / ɪnˈsɪst /

verb (used without object)

insists, present (3rd person singular) insisted, past participle, past insisting present participle

1. to be emphatic, firm, or resolute on some matter of desire, demand, intention, etc..

   He insists on checking every shipment.

2. to lay emphasis in assertion.

   to insist on the justice of a claim.

3. to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to insist on a point in a discussion.

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verb (used with object)

insists, present (3rd person singular) insisted, past participle, past insisting present participle

1. to assert or maintain firmly.

   He insists that he saw the ghosts.

2. to demand or persist in demanding.

   I insist that you see this thing through.

   Synonyms:

   require, urge

insist British  

/ ɪnˈsɪst /

verb

1. to make a determined demand (for)

   he insisted that his rights be respected

   he insisted on his rights

2. to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)

   he insisted that she was mad

   he insisted on her madness

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• insister
  noun
• overinsist
  verb (used without object)
• reinsist
  verb (used without object)
• superinsist
  verb (used without object)
• insistingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• insisting
  present
• insisted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• insist
  simple
• insists
  simple
• have insisted
  perfect
• has insisted
  perfect
• am insisting
  progressive
• are insisting
  progressive
• is insisting
  progressive
• have been insisting
  perfect progressive
• has been insisting
  perfect progressive

Past

• insisted
  simple
• had insisted
  perfect
• was insisting
  progressive
• were insisting
  progressive
• had been insisting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will insist
  simple
• will have insisted
  perfect
• will be insisting
  progressive
• will have been insisting
  perfect progressive

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” ( see also stand)

Explanation

To insist on something is to demand or swear to it. You can insist that you didn't eat the last piece of cake, and then insist that your brother show your mom the bits of frosting on his fingers. The verb insist comes from the Latin insistere, meaning “persist,” “dwell upon,” or “stand on.” To insist on something, like a room with a view, is to say that you must have it. To insist that you never met that man before in your life — even though there's a picture of the two of you together — is to claim that you're telling the truth. To insist on tapping your foot on the chair leg is annoying.

Example Sentences

That’s why Ham is swift to insist he’s being taunted, even when he’s not.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2026

The Revolutionary Guard has also pushed the government to insist on future service fees on ships crossing the strait, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

But some residents insist that’s not what they want.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

The justices continue to insist that there is no tension among them and that they agree cordially on all things.

From Slate • Jul. 2, 2026

“Albie,” Calista said, and her voice was very serious, “I insist that you watch fifteen more minutes of television right this very second. Unless . . She tapped her chin again. “

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Related Words

• assert
• contend
• demand
• hold
• maintain
• press
• reiterate
• repeat
• request
• stand firm
• urge
• vow