Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense insists, present participle insisting, past tense, past participle insisted
1. verb
If you insistthat something should be done, you say so very firmly and refuse to give in about it. If you insiston something, you say firmly that it must be done or provided.
My family insisted that I should not give in, but stay and fight. [VERB that]
She insisted on being present at all the interviews. [VERB + on]
She insists on all her employees coming to the Christmas lunch she gives every year. [Von n -ing]
I didn't want to join in, but Kenneth insisted. [VERB]
Synonyms: persist, press (someone), be firm, stand firm More Synonyms of insist
2. verb
If you insist that something is the case, you say so very firmly and refuse to say otherwise, even though other people do not believe you.
The president insisted that he was acting out of compassion, not opportunism. [VERB that]
'It's not that difficult,' she insists. [VERB with quote]
Crippen insisted on his innocence. [VERB + on]
Synonyms: assert, state, maintain, hold More Synonyms of insist
More Synonyms of insist
insist in British English
(ɪnˈsɪst)
verb
1.
to make a determined demand (for)
he insisted that his rights be respected
he insisted on his rights
2.
to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)
he insisted that she was mad
he insisted on her madness
Derived forms
insister (inˈsister)
noun
insistingly (inˈsistingly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin insistere to stand upon, urge, from in-2 + sistere to stand
insist in American English
(ɪnˈsɪst)
verb intransitive
1.
to take and maintain a stand or make a firm demand
often with on or upon
verb transitive
2.
to demand strongly
3.
to declare firmly or persistently
Derived forms
insister (inˈsister)
noun
insistingly (inˈsistingly)
adverb
Word origin
MFr insister < L insistere, to stand on, pursue diligently, persist < in-, in, on + sistere, to stand, redupl. of stare, stand
Examples of 'insist' in a sentence
insist
He tried to refuse but she insisted so much that he gave in.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Officials insisted: 'It is structurally unsound.
The Sun (2016)
But he insists he refused to beat himself up about his scoring problems.
The Sun (2006)
For insurance purposes the makers insisted a stuntman make the jump.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet his fellow American insists he will refuse to sell to his business partner.
The Sun (2008)
If you are talking to the wronged spouse, insist that she refuse to accept the blame.
Christianity Today (2000)
He insisted on joining them, but the talk seemed mainly about their problems as orphans.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Forced move, insisted on joining boyhood heroes.
The Sun (2012)
He has insisted MPs who make a profit on second homes funded by the taxpayer should repay it.
The Sun (2010)
But she insists she refused to diet or exercise too early, knowing it is bad for new mums.
The Sun (2010)
The band returned to the stage and insisted I join them and sing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Producers firmly insisted yesterday: 'Any suggestions this incident was staged are completely ridiculous.
The Sun (2013)
She insisted: 'It was given to me as next of kin and it was mine to sell.
The Sun (2013)
Wise insisted: 'It has all had a damaging effect on my career and has not been fantastic for me.
The Sun (2009)
The pregnant mum-of-one insisted she refuses to lead her life by other people's values and isvery happy with who she is.
The Sun (2006)
In other languages
insist
British English: insist /ɪnˈsɪst/ VERB
If you insist that something should be done, you say very firmly that it must be done.
She insisted on being present.
My family insisted that I should not give in.
American English: insist
Arabic: يُصِرُّ عِلَى
Brazilian Portuguese: insistir
Chinese: 强调
Croatian: inzistirati
Czech: naléhat trvat na něčem
Danish: insistere
Dutch: aandringen
European Spanish: insistir
Finnish: vaatia inttää
French: insister
German: bestehen auf
Greek: επιμένω
Italian: insistere
Japanese: 強要する
Korean: 주장하다
Norwegian: insistere
Polish: nalegać
European Portuguese: insistir
Romanian: a insista
Russian: настаивать
Latin American Spanish: insistir
Swedish: insistera
Thai: ยืนยัน
Turkish: ısrar etmek
Ukrainian: наполягати
Vietnamese: nhấn mạnh
Chinese translation of 'insist'
insist
(ɪnˈsɪst)
vi, vt
坚(堅)持 (jiānchí)
to insist that ... (= claim) 坚(堅)持 ... (jiānchí ... ) (= demand) 坚(堅)决(決)要求 ... (jiānjué yāoqiú ... )
to insist on sth/doing sth坚(堅)持要求某事/做某事 (jiānchí yāoqiú mǒushì/zuò mǒushì)
1 (verb)
I didn't want to join in, but he insisted.
Synonyms
persist
press (someone)
be firm
stand firm
stand your ground
lay down the law
put your foot down (informal)
not take no for an answer
brook no refusal
take or make a stand
2 (verb)
Definition
to make a determined demand (for)
I insisted that the fault be repaired.
Synonyms
demand
The task demands much patience and hard work.
order
Williams ordered him to leave.
urge
They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme.
require
The rules require employers to provide safety training.
command
He commanded his troops to attack.
dictate
Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive game.
entreat
3 (verb)
Definition
to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)
He insisted that he was acting out of compassion.
Synonyms
assert
We assert that the bill violates the First Amendment.
state
Clearly state your address and telephone number.
maintain
Prosecutors maintain that no deal was made.
hold
claim
He claimed that it was a conspiracy against him.
declare
He declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world.
repeat
vow
She vowed that some day she would return to live in France.
swear
I swear I've told you all I know.
contend
The government contends that he is a fundamentalist.
affirm
`The place is a dump,' she affirmed.
reiterate
profess
He professed that he was content with the arrangements.