Insist — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈsist/ in·sist

Meaning & Definition of Insist

Insist (verb)

  1. to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required
  2. persist
  3. to maintain in a persistent or positive manner

Insist (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, 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

Related Entry: Insist (on) (verb)

Insist (on) is a different word from Insist. The synonyms below are for insist (on), not for insist.

  1. to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority

    "the director insisted on absolute quiet on the set"

    similar: call (for), claim, clamor (for), command, demand, enjoin, exact, press (for), quest, stipulate (for)
    related: ask, plead (for), request, want, cry (for), necessitate, need, require, take, warrant, requisition, impose, badger, dun, harass, hound
    near: give up, relinquish, surrender, yield

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Insist

The most common words with a similar meaning to Insist:

affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant, put forth

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Insist

Words with the opposite meaning of Insist:

deny, gainsay

Related Words for Insist

announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms of Insist

abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

Word Forms of Insist

Inflections: insisted, insisting, insists

Origin & Etymology of Insist

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 stand

First known use: 1586i

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Insist

Words & Phrases Containing Insist

insist on/upon

Frequently Asked Questions about Insist

What does "Insist" mean?

"Insist" means to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required. As a verb, it is defined as: to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required.

What is another word for "Insist"?

Other words for "Insist" include affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim and contend. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Insist" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Insist"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Insist". Common alternatives include affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare and maintain.

What is the opposite of "Insist"?

Antonyms of "Insist" include deny and gainsay. Near antonyms include abandon, disavow, disclaim and disown.

How do you use "Insist" in a sentence?

Examples of "Insist" in a sentence: "she continued to insist that she was right, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary".

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

"Insist" is a verb.

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

As a B2-level word, "Insist" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Insist"?

"Insist" is pronounced /in-ˈsist/ and divided into syllables as in·sist.