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

• affirm
• allege
• assert
• aver
• avouch
• avow
• claim
• contend
• declare
• maintain
• profess
• protest
• purport
• warrant

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

Popular on Variety Gus insists on enlisting one more teammate, Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer), who’s currently being detained and tortured by Nazis in a high-security prison. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024

The Ukrainians wanted a peacetime army of 250,000 people; the Russians insisted on a maximum of 85,000, considerably smaller than the standing army Ukraine had before the invasion in 2022. —Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024

Dozens messaged her workplace insisting she be fired immediately; other notes poured into her cellphone and personal email. —Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

In 1998, a not-yet-famous Aaron Sorkin insisted to ABC executives that adding a laugh track would ruin his first-ever TV show, Sports Night. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

This article is based on interviews with nearly a dozen Republican operatives and politicians who are familiar with Mr. Trump’s deliberations, some of whom have ties to the possible contenders and all of whom insisted on anonymity to discuss the private conversations. —Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024

The 49ers’ brass — owner Jed York, coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch – all insisted at last month’s league meeting in Florida that the 49ers plan to reward Aiyuk and keep him long term. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024

Outdoor workers, and the advocacy groups supporting them, insist that the current regulations aren’t enough. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

Lawmakers and Kelly had both insisted on delivering tax cuts this year, but the governor vetoed a single-rate income tax plan favored by Republicans. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

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

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