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

But his presence in Monday’s festivities, held after an 8-3 win over the Twins at Target Field, illustrated why Aaron Judge was so insistent when asked if the championship-or-bust Bombers would celebrate a simple playoff berth. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

This means wasps may become more insistent at your picnic or dinner on the deck, says Benson. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

That’s why the league has been so insistent on returning to the same markets each year. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2026

And the insistent focus on Archambault to exclusion of all else does force Menochet’s sober gravitas to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of communicating the inner conflict and existential anguish with which all of the team must be struggling. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 9 Sep. 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