insist
Americanverb (used without object)
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insists,
present (3rd person singular)
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insisted,
past participle, past
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insisting
present participle
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to be emphatic, firm, or resolute on some matter of desire, demand, intention, etc..
He insists on checking every shipment.
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to lay emphasis in assertion.
to insist on the justice of a claim.
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to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on orupon ).
to insist on a point in a discussion.
verb
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to make a determined demand (for)
he insisted that his rights be respected
he insisted on his rights
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to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)
he insisted that she was mad
he insisted on her madness
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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insisternoun
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overinsistverb (used without object)
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reinsistverb (used without object)
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superinsistverb (used without object)
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insistinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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insistsimple
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insistssimple
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have insistedperfect
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has insistedperfect
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am insistingprogressive
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are insistingprogressive
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is insistingprogressive
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have been insistingperfect progressive
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has been insistingperfect progressive
Past
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insistedsimple
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had insistedperfect
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was insistingprogressive
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were insistingprogressive
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had been insistingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing insist
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List 11
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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.
See Examples For:
John, Croydon: That is one of those decisions that pundits will insist is correct, but people in pubs up and down the country know is bonkers.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
The only reason I paid attention to this particular situation and its implications was because Marsh’s work taught me to pay attention, to think larger, to insist that it all mattered.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
ECB President Christine Lagarde is, as usual, expected to give little away at her press conference after the rate call and insist that future decisions will be based on incoming data.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
There is a place in New York City that many insist does not exist.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026
“We can have you home in a few hours. But I insist that you and Brightbill stay a while, here in my apartment. You both deserve some peace and comfort, and I’d love the company.”
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
Yet Swedenborg’s vision of a higher world is resolutely capacious and generous: “Man,” he insists, “is born for Heaven.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Johnson acknowledged that some members need to remain home but insists most Republicans will make at least an appearance, describing the event as an opportunity to put the party's record before a national television audience.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
Kasten insists Walter has no plans to divest from the Dodgers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
Yet chief executive Omar Berrada insists the club can remain competitive while managing its debt and stadium ambitions, arguing United's challenge is to operate sustainably while continuing to compete for major trophies.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
“He told me that he knows where the Whitechapel Club is, but he insists on taking me there. We plan to go tonight.”
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
During a recent visit to Caracas, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright insisted on the need to revamp Venezuela's ability to generate power.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
Lee insisted on including the American flags dotting lawns, the general sense of unease and, in a somber touch, a credits sequence featuring the Tribute in Light.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
I insisted I could handle it, that I could withstand sadness.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026
But he added that he did not believe that had happened, and Downing Street later insisted there was no change in his position that such a vote was currently "off limits".
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
Mother Fox later insisted she was “not a believer in haunted houses or supernatural Appearances.”
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
While they keep insisting “The Bear” is a comedy, the funniest show I saw, “American Classic,” was completely overlooked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Ministers say that the big supermarket chains will take the financial hit, insisting "bold action" is needed to help households.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
He continued to push back, insisting the judge had the power to dismiss the one holdout juror.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
I think that if you are still insisting that every A.I. business will go up on smoke, it’s time for an update.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026
She listed all the movie stars, some of whom I absolutely worshiped, who were insisting on having bomb shelters installed in their backyards.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
