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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 More recently, China’s rampant overfishing of its own coastal waters has meant expanding fishing in the South China Sea and using fishing fleets to assert new territorial claims. Bradley J. Cardinale, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025 These moves, Nicklaus Companies asserted, were in contravention of contractual obligations. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Typically the head of the federal agency that's asserting the state secrets privilege will sign a declaration or affidavit to the judge explaining why withholding information is necessary. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025 The judge determined the Trump administration attempted to circumvent the procedures in place for issuing reductions in force by asserting that the employees were terminated for performance reasons without providing evidence. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assert
Verb
  • In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to ensure firefighters have the resources needed to combat the Table Rock Fire.
    John Bacon, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Emergency declared South Carolina In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday as part of an effort to stop a blaze in Pickens County called the Table Rock Fire that started the previous day in an area within the Blue Ridge Mountains.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Current Social Science Research Approaches Are Limited For decades, Lahlou argues, the social sciences and their applications in fields as diverse as marketing and industrial psychology have focused primarily on individual psychology and interpersonal dynamics.
    Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Some Democrats, including potential 2028 presidential contenders Rahm Emanuel and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, argue that the party needs to moderate or focus less on such issues.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Why does the club insist on rebuilding via purchasing players as opposed to harnessing the talents of academy players instead?
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Dutchman was constantly shoehorned into an attacking midfield role that doesn’t bring out his best characteristics, yet Motta insisted on deploying him there.
    Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After affirming his commitment to cooperating with the investigation, protecting Jewish students and protecting free speech, Wood referenced the protest.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
  • At the same time with all of this, box office sources, not just Disney, affirm that Snow White played evenly across the country.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Shortly before the end of Biden’s term in January, the Department of Education issued a fact sheet contending that Title IX applies to colleges’ direct payments to athletes reflecting revenue share/NIL.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The organization, which has paid the tax since 1972, contends that its work is rooted in Catholic values and mission and that the state is unfairly judging what counts as religious activity.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The 20-year-old skater, who was born in Fairfax, Va., landed a quadruple Axel and five other quadruple jumps to claim the men's title by a commanding margin.
    Lawrence Yee, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • My advice is to make every effort to escape your echo chamber, resist reading Reddit, and by all means ignore the clickbait on social media from companies claiming to have the secret formula to being admitted to highly selective colleges.
    Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Intrigue in Read's case has only grown since the mistrial, as she's continued to share her story and proclaim her innocence.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Elk are being depleted by wolves, proclaim the Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club International and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, all of which sued to block ESA protections.
    Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, the researchers reasoned that the wasp likely did not intend to kill with the bizarre grasping structure.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
  • It was created as a nod to consumer fairness: travelers were able to bring back a certain amount of goods from overseas without paying customs on those goods, supporters reasoned, so people who couldn’t travel should have the same privilege.
    Alana Semuels, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assert. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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