Definition of assert
1 a
: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
- The suspect continued to assert his innocence.
b
: to compel or demand acceptance or recognition of (something, such as one's authority)
- … the confrontations that inevitably occur [between orangutans] when several males try to assert dominance …
- —NationalGeographic.com
- Wallace asserted control early—shutting down both candidates when they tried to talk over one another, and shushing the audience when it reacted too audibly.
- —Glenn Thrush
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assert oneself
1
: to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one's rights
- … she wants him to learn to assert himself with people in positions of authority.
- —Malcolm Gladwell
- … a long-suffering Irish community asserted itself by putting its own politicians in power.
- —Ellis Cose
2
: to become more strongly apparent : to become clearly seen, known, or experienced
- Unbidden, a glint asserts itself in Ms. Brown's eyes …
- —Joanne Kaufman
- … a passion that through its long suppression was now asserting itself with volcanic necessity.
- —Zadie Smith
