Assert — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈsərt/ as·sert

Meaning & Definition of Assert

Assert (verb)

  1. to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
  2. to compel or demand acceptance or recognition of (something, such as one's authority)
  3. to demonstrate the existence of

Assert (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to state clearly and strongly

    "a superpatriot who is never afraid to assert her allegiance to flag and country"

    similar: affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess
    related: advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, announce, blaze, call, proclaim, pronounce, say, accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore, advocate, champion, defend, espouse, support, uphold, assure, convince, persuade, explain, justify, rationalize, reaffirm, reassert
    near: minimize, understate, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

  2. to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration

    "asserted that a new roof would be necessary if the church was to remain open"

    similar: argue, contend, maintain, plead, reason
    related: adduce, cite, mention, claim, insist, affirm, aver, avouch, avow, advance, give, offer, propose, submit, advise, counsel, recommend, suggest, urge, convince, persuade, advocate, champion, defend, enforce, espouse, support, explain, justify, rationalize, consider, debate, discuss, confute, counter, disprove, rebut, refute

  3. to state as a fact usually forcefully

    "vigorously asserted that what passes for art these days is absolute rubbish"

    similar: affirm, allege, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, put forth
    related: announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert
    opposite: deny, gainsay
    near: abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assert

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assert:

affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess, argue, contend, maintain, plead, reason, allege, claim, insist, protest, purport, warrant, put forth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Assert

Words with the opposite meaning of Assert:

deny, gainsay

Related Words for Assert

advance, advertise, boost, plug, promote, publicize, announce, blaze, call, proclaim, pronounce, say, accent, accentuate, emphasize, stress, underline, underscore, advocate, champion, defend, espouse, support, uphold, assure, convince, persuade, explain, justify, rationalize

Near Antonyms of Assert

minimize, understate, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

Word Forms of Assert

Inflections: asserted, asserting, asserts

Derived words: assertible (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Assert

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

First known use: circa 1604

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assert

Words & Phrases Containing Assert

assert oneself, assert itself

Frequently Asked Questions about Assert

What does "Assert" mean?

"Assert" means to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively. As a verb, it is defined as: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assert"?

Other words for "Assert" include affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down and profess. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assert" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assert"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assert". Common alternatives include affirm, aver, avouch, avow, declare, guarantee, lay down, profess, argue and contend.

What is the opposite of "Assert"?

Antonyms of "Assert" include deny and gainsay. Near antonyms include minimize, understate, disregard and ignore.

How do you use "Assert" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assert" in a sentence: "a superpatriot who is never afraid to assert her allegiance to flag and country"; "asserted that a new roof would be necessary if the church was to remain open"; "vigorously asserted that what passes for art these days is absolute rubbish".

Is "Assert" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assert" is a verb.

Is "Assert" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Assert" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Assert"?

"Assert" is pronounced /ə-ˈsərt/ and divided into syllables as as·sert.