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

• affirm
• allege
• assert
• aver
• avouch
• avow
• claim
• contend
• declare
• maintain
• profess
• protest
• purport
• warrant

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

Towns, who played under Thibodeau in Minnesota, insists this wasn’t always the case. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025

One problem with the discovery rule, the teams insist, is that its availability turns on the plaintiff’s knowledge. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Adams insists there's no quid pro quo being asked for by himself or offered from the government. —Adam Reiss, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025

Shortly after cutting ties with Baldoni, WME — which also represents Lively and her megastar husband, Reynolds — released a statement insisting that the married stars didn’t pressure the agency to drop him. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025

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