assert

verb

as·sert | \ ə-ˈsərt

, a- \

asserted; asserting; asserts

Essential Meaning of assert

1 : to state (something) in a strong and definite way "Poverty is the city's most serious problem," the authors assert. = The authors assert that poverty is the city's most serious problem. He asserted that there were spies in the government. Despite the evidence against him, he has continued to assert his innocence. [=has continued to say that he is innocent]

2 : to demand that other people accept or respect (something) She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment. The boss was reluctant to assert his authority over his employees.

Full Definition of assert

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : to demonstrate the existence of He wished to vindicate himself in some way, to assert his manhood.— James Joyce

b : posit, postulate

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

Other Words from assert Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About assert

Choose the Right Synonym for assert

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection. assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence. asserted that modern music is just noise declare stresses open or public statement. declared her support for the candidate affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith. affirmed the existence of an afterlife protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt. protested that he really had been misquoted avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared. avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

synonyms see in addition maintain

Examples of assert in a Sentence

He asserted that there were spies in the government. She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment. The boss was reluctant to assert his authority over his employees.

Recent Examples on the Web The lawsuits assert that Trump violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which prohibits mob violence aimed at obstructing the operations of the federal government and its officers, Malone said. — Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2022 As Sion learners engage in real world learning, they are encouraged to embrace ambiguity and assert their individuality. — Tom Vander Ark, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 The Maxwells strongly assert the U.S. justice system is making a patsy of their youngest sister. — Mallika Sen, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 This could empower a child or young person to assert and defend their rights and enable them to challenge and override parent/guardian restrictions. — Joanna J. Bryson, Wired, 17 Dec. 2021 The Maxwells strongly assert the U.S. justice system is making a patsy of their youngest sister. — Mallika Sen, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 The Maxwells strongly assert the U.S. justice system is making a patsy of their youngest sister. — Mallika Sen, ajc, 19 Dec. 2021 Those trying to cement power and assert a political will that runs afoul of public opinion are counting on you not noticing until it’s too late. — Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 17 Dec. 2021 Caproni also denied the requests from the plaintiffs for provisional certification of a class of all Department of Education (DOE) employees who assert religious objections to the vaccine mandate. — Jon Brown, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.