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 In past interviews, Tagami has insisted that the decision of what eventually gets shipped from the marine terminal would be made by ITS, not by him, and based solely on market demands. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Boeing continued to insist that the plane was safe, not only after the first crash but for days after the second crash. Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 City Attorney Mara Elliott repeatedly rejected the idea, insisting that her office was the only city department authorized to hire outside law firms. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 As such, Oppenheimer was someone that FBI director Hoover and Senator Joe McCarthy categorically insisted could not exist: an American communist who was likewise a patriot. TIME, 8 Mar. 2024 Three years ago, Swedish academic Andreas Malm published an incendiary paperback that insisted that strategic nonviolence is unlikely to do much to save the planet. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Mass demonstrations last year did not move the United States to stop insisting on Henry’s legitimacy. Amy Wilentz, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Power San Diego officials insist that a new power company would protect union workers and contracts. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Tusk last week insisted that the Polish farmers are by and large not anti-Ukrainian, noting that many of them are the same people who have extended help to Ukrainian refugees. Vanessa Gera, Quartz, 28 Feb. 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 18 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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