insistent

adjective

in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsi-stənt 

1

: disposed to insist : persistent

2

: compelling attention

the insistent pounding of the waves

insistently adverb

Synonyms of insistent

• persistent
• resolute

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 on the Web

There’s something inherently comical about this insistent, creepy overfamiliarity. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026

Those close to Al-Khelaifi are insistent that there is no conflict of interest, with the chair recusing himself from the LFP board over the past 12 months to remove any potential issue. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Del Toro was insistent that the texture and grain of the original movie, which was shot on film, remain. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Zach was very insistent on paralleling the book, where the reader knows immediately that this is a psycho. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin insistent-, insistens, present participle of insistere

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for insistent

• assistant
• consistent
• existent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• distant

Kids Definition

insistent

adjective

in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsis-tənt 

: demanding attention : persistent

insistently adverb