insist

[in-sist] /ɪnˈsɪst/

Synonyms
Examples
Word Origin

verb (used without object)

to be emphatic, firm, or resolute on some matter of desire, demand, intention, etc.:

He insists on checking every shipment.

to lay emphasis in assertion:

to insist on the justice of a claim.

to dwell with earnestness or emphasis (usually followed by on or upon):

to insist on a point in a discussion.

verb (used with object)

to assert or maintain firmly:

He insists that he saw the ghosts.

to demand or persist in demanding:

I insist that you see this thing through.

Origin of insist

Latin

1580-1590

1580-90; < Latin insistere to stand still on, persist in, equivalent to in- in-² + sistere to stand, make stand, reduplicated derivative from base of stāre to stand

Related forms

insister, noun

insistingly, adverb

overinsist, verb (used without object)

reinsist, verb (used without object)

superinsist, verb (used without object)

Synonyms

5. urge, require.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2015.
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Examples from the web for insist

Kathleen, I want to challenge you: the next time you are on a panel, insist that a Palestinian also be invited to participate.

Who's Afraid of the Right of Return? A Response to Kathleen Peratis on BDS Tom Pessah October 16, 2013
Senior American officers, reading from their assigned script, insist that Iraqi security forces are doing a terrific job.

Stop Pretending the War Is Over Andrew J. Bacevich August 19, 2010
The Scottish vote, they insist, must settle the matter for at least a generation.

A Stand-Alone Scotland Alex Massie January 10, 2012

British Dictionary definitions for insist

insist

/ɪnˈsɪst/

verb

to make a determined demand (for): he insisted that his rights be respected, he insisted on his rights

to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of): he insisted that she was mad, he insisted on her madness

Derived Forms

insister, noun
insistingly, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Latin insistere to stand upon, urge, from in-² + sistere to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for insist

1580s, from Latin insistere "persist, dwell upon, stand upon," from in- "upon" (see in- (2)) + sistere "take a stand" (see assist). Perhaps in some cases a back-formation from insistence. Related: Insisted; insisting.

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