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

In Ta’ni t’äj wet mak ta otakie/Caparazón de tortuga y el futuro (Tortoise Shell and the Future, 2023), different registers dissolve into zones—motifs floating free of any containing structure, an insistent celebration of color. —María Carri, Artforum, 16 Apr. 2026

Callaghan is insistent that the resurrected All Gas, No Brakes remain politics-free. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

The city at the time was insistent that the developer owed the remaining $10 million as a condition for actually beginning vertical construction of the stadium. —Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026

Since then, Ivey became increasingly insistent on pushing his faith into his professional life. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 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