insistent

adjective in·sis·tent \ in-ˈsi-stənt \

Definition of insistent

1 :disposed to insist :persistent

2 :compelling attention

the insistent pounding of the waves

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insistently

adverb

See insistent defined for English-language learners

See insistent defined for kids

Examples of insistent in a Sentence

We listened to the insistent crashing of waves on the beach.
Margaret Sanger is remembered as an insistent crusader for birth control.

Recent Examples of insistent from the Web

As such, a report from The Sun claims that Atletico are insistent that Costa, who is being heavily criticised for his unauthorised absence, clears the air with Chelsea.

— SI.com, "Atletico Order Diego Costa to 'Make Peace' With Chelsea Before Considering Formal Approach," 22 Aug. 2017
But on the phone, Askarzada's cousin was insistent.

— brian castner, Esquire, "The Fight of His Life," 16 Aug. 2017
Now the song sounds a little like an homage to grunge, with its insistent, lurching riff, but DeGraw's vocal has a bluesy moan that seems to have hinted at a lot of pop that was to come.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Gavin DeGraw To Play Infinity Hall," 16 Aug. 2017
Insurers have been insistent that the cost-sharing reductions be paid and have been seeking a commitment that they will be paid next year.

— carolyn y. johnson, Alaska Dispatch News, "Ending Obamacare subsidies would increase premiums by 20 percent in 2018, CBO says," 15 Aug. 2017
Henwick couldn’t get time off her Iron Fist shoot, but says that show-runners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff were insistent that her character not just disappear from the series.

— vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones Star Explains Why the Sand Snakes Never Worked in the First Place," 24 July 2017
Henwick couldn’t get time off her Iron Fist shoot, but says that show-runners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff were insistent that her character not just disappear from the series.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones Star Explains Why the Sand Snakes Never Worked in the First Place," 24 July 2017
The sky darkened, the stars in this dark place spread across the sky bright and insistent.

— bill mckibben, New Republic, "What Would Thoreau Think of Climate Change?," 12 July 2017
But it is enveloped in ambient city noise ranging from the sound of cars sloshing through rain to the incessant and insistent clanging of a Milwaukee River drawbridge.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Optimist Theatre's free 'Much Ado About Nothing' leans hard on gags," 8 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of insistent

Latin insistent-, insistens, present participle of insistere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1868

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insistent Synonyms

Synonyms

dogged, persistent, patient, persevering, pertinacious, tenacious

Near Antonyms

quitting, surrendering, yielding; faltering, hesitant, hesitating, irresolute, vacillating, wavering; disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, traitorous, treacherous

INSISTENT Defined for English Language Learners

insistent

adjective

Definition of insistent for English Language Learners

: demanding that something happen or that someone do something
: happening for a long time and very difficult to ignore

INSISTENT Defined for Kids

insistent

adjective in·sis·tent \ in-ˈsi-stənt \

Definition of insistent for Students

:demanding that something happen or that someone act in a certain way

He was insistent that I stay overnight.

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insistently

adverb

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Examples of insistent in a Sentence

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insistent Synonyms

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INSISTENT Defined for English Language Learners

insistent

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