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self-assertion

[self-uh-sur-shuhn, self-]
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noun

insistence on or an expression of one's own importance, wishes, needs, opinions, or the like.

Origin of self-assertion

First recorded in 1795–1805
Related formsself-as·sert·ing, adjectiveself-as·sert·ing·ly, adverbself-as·ser·tive, adjectiveself-as·ser·tive·ly, adverbself-as·ser·tive·ness, noun

Synonyms for self-assertion

assertiveness, aggressiveness, belligerence.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-assertion

Contemporary Examples of self-assertion

Historical Examples of self-assertion

  • There was self-assertion, but not of the antagonistic—solely of the inviting sort.

    Weighed and Wanting

    George MacDonald

  • There was also in his manner a degree of self-assertion which favoured the same conclusion.

    Wilfrid Cumbermede

    George MacDonald

  • Self-assertion can never be the best preparation for achievement.

    The Truth About Woman

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

  • She lacked something, she had no real dignity, no self-assertion.

    The Girls at Mount Morris

    Amanda Minnie Douglas

  • Passion and self-assertion were at one; my conquest would be two-fold.

    The King's Mirror

    Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for self-assertion

self-assertion

noun

the act or an instance of putting forward one's own opinions, etc, esp in an aggressive or conceited manner
Derived Formsself-asserting, adjectiveself-assertingly, adverbself-assertive, adjectiveself-assertively, adverbself-assertiveness, noun
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