insist

verb

in·​sist in-ˈsist 

insisted; insisting; insists

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

Synonyms of insist

• allege
• claim
• assert
• contend
• maintain
• declare

Examples of insist in a Sentence

I didn't want to go, but she insisted.

“Come on, let's go.” “Oh, all right, if you insist.”

She insists the money is hers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Martha sat on the other bed and thought about what a perverse species humans were—to insist on eating something that had tried so hard to be inedible. —Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

Etebari’s grandfather would have insisted on putting a cloth on the floor and having everyone sit cross-legged to eat, as is the custom in Iran. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

The couple agrees never to discuss this event with their young family; indeed, his overbearing mother insists that Carl view the kidnapping as something that happened to his body, but not to him. —The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

But a reset didn’t stop his team from insisting on arriving for an early practice in El Segundo on Sunday morning. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing insist

• insist on/upon

Rhymes for insist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

insist

verb

in·​sist in-ˈsist 

1

: to place special stress or great importance

insists on punctuality

2

: to make a demand : request urgently

insisted that I come