insist

verb

in·​sist in-ˈsist How to pronounce insist (audio)
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

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 Kirby’s letter insisted that the incidents were all unrelated, and that United is renewing its focus on safety. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 But Russian officials including President Vladimir V. Putin have occasionally used the word war in reference to the conflict, mostly to insist that Russia has been fighting a Western coalition. Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Smith would probably insist that Trump’s mind and memory are just fine. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 What’s next People, particularly those in their 60s and beyond, as well as their families and friends need to be vigilant about cognitive decline, bring it up during doctor’s appointments and insist on a formal assessment. Soeren Mattke, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024 That, and $4 billion at the box office, must mean something … right? March 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. EDT Kevin Hart insists he’s never written a joke. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 But the closer partnership was not aimed at any country, the top US diplomat and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo insisted. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Federal authorities and advocacy groups insist immigration should remain a job for federal, not state, officers. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024 Wallace continued to insist that Moscow could name the issues. Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insist.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of insist was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near insist

Cite this Entry

“Insist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insist. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insist

verb
in·​sist in-ˈsist How to pronounce insist (audio)
1
: to place special stress or great importance
insists on punctuality
2
: to make a demand : request urgently
insisted that I come

More from Merriam-Webster on insist

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