insist

in·sist

verb \in-ˈsist\

Definition of INSIST

intransitive verb

1

: to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required <they insist on going>

2

archaic : persist

transitive verb

: to maintain in a persistent or positive manner <insisted that the story was true>

Examples of INSIST

1. I didn't want to go, but she insisted.
2. “Come on, let's go.” “Oh, all right, if you insist.”
3. She insists the money is hers.

Origin of INSIST

Middle French or Latin; Middle French insister, from Latin insistere to stand upon, persist, from in- + sistere to take a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 1586

Related to INSIST

Synonyms: affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, claim, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant

Antonyms: deny, gainsay

Related Words: announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms: abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter

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Rhymes with INSIST

A-list, assist, backlist, blacklist, B-list, checklist, consist, dean's list, delist, desist, encyst, enlist, entwist, exist, handlist, hit list, life list, mailed fist, persist, playlist, protist, Rehnquist, resist, short list, short-list, subsist, untwist, wait-list, white list, wish list