Synonyms

insist

American

[in-sist] / ɪnˈsɪst /

verb (used without object)

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

He insists on checking every shipment.
to lay emphasis in assertion.

to insist on the justice of a claim.
to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on orupon ).

to insist on a point in a discussion.

verb (used with object)

to assert or maintain firmly.

He insists that he saw the ghosts.
to demand or persist in demanding.

I insist that you see this thing through.

Synonyms:

require, urge

insist British

/ ɪnˈsɪst /

verb

to make a determined demand (for)

he insisted that his rights be respected
he insisted on his rights
to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)

he insisted that she was mad
he insisted on her madness

"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

Other Word Forms

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

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” ( stand )

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.

Facing mounting pressure, Mitsotakis insisted that the government had "never purchased or used" Predator.

From Barron's

Iran insists its programme is only for peaceful purposes, though the country is the only non-nuclear-armed state to have enriched uranium at near weapons-grade level.

From BBC

They arrived at the meeting fully armed, and donned face masks for the interview, after insisting on having their identities disguised.

From BBC

On Tuesday, the defense insisted on the Brazao brothers' innocence, while noting that links between local power and criminals were an open secret.

From Barron's

Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.

From Barron's

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