insistent

adjective

in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce insistent (audio)
1
: disposed to insist : persistent
2
: compelling attention
the insistent pounding of the waves
insistently adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And so, what was once a lazy, crazy, charming afternoon daydream of a movie is now a frantic, insistent, often unfunny sci-fi comedy. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025 Wallen is still insistent about how those roots remain central to his music. Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025 As the colleague grew insistent—citing her kids' potential disappointment—the situation escalated. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 Many of these spots are decades in the making, vestiges of another time, insistent on bringing history into the present day; all represent a sense of community that wouldn’t exist without them. Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for insistent

Word History

Etymology

Latin insistent-, insistens, present participle of insistere

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insistent was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insistent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

insistent

adjective
in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce insistent (audio)
: demanding attention : persistent
insistently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on insistent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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