insist

verb

in·​sist in-ˈsist 

insisted; insisting; insists

intransitive verb

1

: to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required

They insist on going.

2

archaic : persist

transitive verb

: to maintain in a persistent or positive manner

insisted that the story was true

Synonyms of insist

• allege
• claim
• assert
• contend
• maintain
• declare

Examples of insist in a Sentence

I didn't want to go, but she insisted.

“Come on, let's go.” “Oh, all right, if you insist.”

She insists the money is hers.

Recent Examples on the Web

They must be addressed in a hardheaded and balanced way, not as Mayor Johnson insists by simply hiking taxes on businesses and the wealthy. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Later that year, despite federal and diplomatic pressure, the mayor insisted on having an Israeli military contingent march in the ticker tape parade saluting the troops of Operation Desert Storm up Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes. — Herbert Block, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Van had insisted that his first victory wasn’t solely because of Pantoja’s injury, while the Brazilian argued that the December result didn’t show who was truly the better fighter. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Even after those polls were released, Fazio still insisted that the race is tight. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French insister, from Latin insistere to stand upon, persist, from in- + sistere to take a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing insist

• insist on/upon

Rhymes for insist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

insist

verb

in·​sist in-ˈsist 

1

: to place special stress or great importance

insists on punctuality

2

: to make a demand : request urgently

insisted that I come