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Synonym Chooser

How is the word assert distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of assert are affirm, avow, declare, and protest. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When could affirm be used to replace assert?

The words affirm and assert can be used in similar contexts, but affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When might avow be a better fit than assert?

The synonyms avow and assert are sometimes interchangeable, but avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

In what contexts can declare take the place of assert?

While in some cases nearly identical to assert, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

When is it sensible to use protest instead of assert?

While the synonyms protest and assert are close in meaning, protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of assert Governments that could assert authority over these firms, most notably the U.S. government, could tap them for information about their adversaries or exclude rivals from access to these vital points in the global economy. Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025 The Pentagon has stated that its comprehensive freedom of navigation operations are conducted in an even-handed manner, challenging claims based on principle rather than on the identity of the coastal state asserting them, including those of allies and partners. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 China is not alone in asserting its Arctic interests and ambitions, not even close. Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025 Hall worked tirelessly to seize opportunities to assert Republicans' power as the minority party. Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assert
Verb
  • The Netflix star was declared cancer-free in November 2022 and underwent breast reconstruction surgery two years later.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Al Horford has yet to declare his intentions for next season, but multiple reports have strongly linked him to the Warriors, who can give the 39-year-old vet a better chance of contending for another championship than the Celtics can at this stage.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Though some have argued there are similarities in how Trump works as a statesman, in comparison to Reagan.
    Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The officer told the two males to stop arguing and called for assistance.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • European defense stocks fell Tuesday after the US pushed for talks between Ukraine and Russia, but analysts insisted any deal would drive the continent to increase defense spending regardless.
    Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The administration insisted that Iran had to first fulfill all its obligations under the JCPOA, and only then would the United States consider returning to the deal.
    Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Republican president also affirmed that the U.S. would back European security guarantees aimed at preventing Moscow from reinvading Ukraine once the war ends.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But Ruiz dismissed that concern after pressing attorneys for the federal government to affirm that Krome was now hearing cases for detainees.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Newsom on Thursday contended his state was still setting a model.
    Sophie Austin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Though Trump insists no one was harmed by the financial statements, the state contends that the numbers led lenders to make riskier loans and that honest borrowers lose out when others game their net worth numbers.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Crewed trips with humans would then follow most likely in the early 2030s, Musk has claimed.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Ukrainian officials claim the Flamingo may outperform the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, both in firepower and production costs.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Soviet ideology proclaimed communism as the final stage of human development.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Men who proclaimed segregation today, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • By and large, the catchphrase of mental fragility in this informal and quite ad hoc fashion is a reference to being negatively affected by AI interactions to a degree beyond that which would seem reasonable and reasoned by a sound mind.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The board also voted to remove the resolution from the school system’s website and social media platforms, reasoning that the previous board in June 2020 did not vote to add the resolution to the student code.
    William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assert. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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