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

Their dissatisfaction stems in part from Arirang’s failure to make the most of an attempt at fusing strip- and EDM-club aesthetics to the insistent word repetition of the K-pop generation prior to BTS. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026

And Sony was insistent that the next one was coming out in, like, 10 months. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026

Gadiaga plays bass throughout BabyGoated—most prominently on the title track’s deep groove, an insistent bassline flirting with Afrobeat—but her honey-sweet voice is the star here. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026

The franchise can’t provide a cohesive argument to defend its insistent pursuit of a middling standing. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 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