insist

American  

[in-sist] / ɪnˈsɪst /

verb (used without object)

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)

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

• 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” ( 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

The pair have been prolific social media supporters of Becerra’s campaign ever since, though they insist they are not being paid for their efforts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Altman and others insist this was necessary to raise the vast sums of money from investors required to compete in a costly and difficult field.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

People like John Lithgow, who plays Dumbledore, insist that Rowling’s Wizarding World is open to all, regardless of the creator’s prejudices.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

Many bereaved Israeli families insist that the new special military tribunal law only addresses one aspect of justice.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Like the realists, we must insist that it is not so difficult to tell good science from bad, as long as you agree that knowledge should be carefully and systematically tested against experience.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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