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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Brazilian election officials and foreign governments including the United States insist that the voting system is sound. 
Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Russian men ages 18 to 27 are required to serve in the military for a year, but those conscripts are not being sent to Ukraine, officials insist. Anton Troianovski, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Meet officials insist that several evening sessions were sold out. oregonlive, 27 July 2022 Although Roth and others disagree, city officials insist that there will be space for just as large a crowd at the new site of the war memorial. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 Some China experts in Washington have interpreted the delays as another sign of uncertainty on China policy, but U.S. officials insist that is not true. New York Times, 23 May 2022 Now in the recovery, officials insist the area is doing OK so far. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2022 The Kremlin has strongly denied any such plans, and military officials insist the army has enough contract soldiers to serve in Ukraine. Bloomberg.com, 1 Apr. 2022 Tenpin bowling may get all the attention, but fans of duckpins — smaller pins, cantaloupe-size ball, three rolls per frame instead of two — insist it’s the more challenging sport. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Russian men ages 18 to 27 are required to serve in the military for a year, but those conscripts are not being sent to Ukraine, officials insist. Anton Troianovski, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Meet officials insist that several evening sessions were sold out. oregonlive, 27 July 2022 Although Roth and others disagree, city officials insist that there will be space for just as large a crowd at the new site of the war memorial. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 Some China experts in Washington have interpreted the delays as another sign of uncertainty on China policy, but U.S. officials insist that is not true. New York Times, 23 May 2022 Now in the recovery, officials insist the area is doing OK so far. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2022 The Kremlin has strongly denied any such plans, and military officials insist the army has enough contract soldiers to serve in Ukraine. Bloomberg.com, 1 Apr. 2022 Tenpin bowling may get all the attention, but fans of duckpins — smaller pins, cantaloupe-size ball, three rolls per frame instead of two — insist it’s the more challenging sport. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
insist
verb
in·sist in-ˈsist
insisted; insisting
1
: to make a demand
I didn't want to go, but she insisted.
2
: to say (something) in a forceful way that doesn't allow for disagreement
She insists the money is hers.
insisting
verb
as in claiming
to state as a fact usually forcefully she continued to insist that she was right, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- claiming
- alleging
- asserting
- declaring
- maintaining
- arguing
- contending
- protesting
- announcing
- affirming
- proclaiming
- professing
- averring
- confirming
- purporting
- avowing
- defending
- warranting
- reasoning
- justifying
- rationalizing
- putting forth
- broadcasting
- reaffirming
- vindicating
- upholding
- avouching
- persevering
- reasserting
- supporting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- denying
- abandoning
- rejecting
- disavowing
- questioning
- repudiating
- negating
- disclaiming
- disputing
- challenging
- refuting
- disproving
- contradicting
- disowning
- rebutting
- countering
- gainsaying
- negativing
- confuting