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Insist
To demand something forcefully or to assert something firmly, often with little tolerance for disagreement.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine a council member who refuses to budge, repeatedly saying, 'We will adopt this plan,' until every member agrees or concedes.
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Sounds Like
in-SIST
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Looks Like
consist, persist (shares the -sist ending from the root meaning 'stand')
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Remember This
Common collocations are insist on doing something and insist that someone do something. The first takes a gerund (insist on walking), the second uses a that-clause or the subjunctive (insist that he go).
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Other Forms
insistedverb
insistingverb
insistencenoun
insistentadjective
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Connect With
demand, require, urge, press, assert; firmness, persistence
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Note
Do not confuse with 'persist' (continue despite difficulty); 'insist' emphasizes demand or firm assertion, often with an expectation of action.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She insisted that he apologize for the mistake.
- The manager insisted on a written approval before proceeding.
Synonyms
demandurgepressassertmaintain
Antonyms
acquiescerelentyield
Etymology
From Latin insistere, in- 'upon' + sistere 'to stand', meaning to stand firmly or to press upon someone.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: IN + SIST = stand in; when you insist, you stand your ground on an issue.
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Perspicacious
adjectiveHaving keen mental perception; acutely insightful and able to understand difficult concepts quickly.
Extremity
nounThe farthest point or edge of something, or the utmost limit or degree of something; in anatomy, a limb or appendage.
Electic
adjectiveDerived from a broad range of sources; drawn from diverse origins; selecting from many different sources to create a varied whole.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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