assert

verb

as·​sert ə-ˈsərt How to pronounce assert (audio)
a-
asserted; asserting; asserts

transitive verb

1
a
: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
The suspect continued to assert his innocence.
b
: to compel or demand acceptance or recognition of (something, such as one's authority)
… the confrontations that inevitably occur [between orangutans] when several males try to assert dominance …NationalGeographic.com
Wallace asserted control early—shutting down both candidates when they tried to talk over one another, and shushing the audience when it reacted too audibly.Glenn Thrush
2
a
: to demonstrate the existence of
He wished to vindicate himself in some way, to assert his manhood.James Joyce
assertible adjective
an assertible defense
Phrases
assert oneself
1
: to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one's rights
… she wants him to learn to assert himself with people in positions of authority.Malcolm Gladwell
… a long-suffering Irish community asserted itself by putting its own politicians in power.Ellis Cose
2
: to become more strongly apparent : to become clearly seen, known, or experienced
Unbidden, a glint asserts itself in Ms. Brown's eyes …Joanne Kaufman
… a passion that through its long suppression was now asserting itself with volcanic necessity.Zadie Smith
Choose the Right Synonym for assert

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow 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

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

synonyms see in addition maintain

Examples of assert in a Sentence

He asserted that there were spies in the government. She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment. The boss was reluctant to assert his authority over his employees.
Recent Examples on the Web Kassan’s team also asserts that UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer was a passenger on some of those private jet rides. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Mar. 2024 But buyers assert costs are to be borne by Phillip Sylvester, Cox’s former business partner who bankrolled the Grove property purchases. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Those witnesses asserted executive privilege or other reasons for not testifying — by far the most time-consuming and frustrating element of the investigation, in the view of current and former officials. Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Of course, at the time, this was reserved for members of royal and wealthy families, as a form of asserting status or political alliances with neighboring regions. Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024 Israel asserts that all Hamas members are legitimate military targets. Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 McConnell also asserted that the Judicial Conference had been pressured into acting by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), but that’s untrue. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 That prevented the jury from asserting their obligation to hear testimony from director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting while standing near Hutchins, as well as assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls and props master Sarah Zachry. Morgan Lee, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 The title character, a young girl living at the turn of the 20th century, becomes fascinated with the natural world and with asserting herself at a time when girls and women occupied mostly secondary roles in the family and in society. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin assertus, past participle of asserere, from ad- + serere to join — more at series

First Known Use

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of assert was circa 1604

Dictionary Entries Near assert

Cite this Entry

“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assert. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assert

verb
as·​sert ə-ˈsərt How to pronounce assert (audio)
a-
1
: to state clearly and strongly
2
: to make others aware of
assert your rights

Legal Definition

assert

transitive verb
as·​sert ə-ˈsərt How to pronounce assert (audio)
: to present and demand recognition of
assert a claim
assertion noun

More from Merriam-Webster on assert

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