assert

[uh-surt]

verb (used with object)

1. to state with assurance, confidence, or force; state strongly or positively; affirm; aver.

   He asserted his innocence of the crime.

   Synonyms: maintain, avow, asseverate
   Antonyms: deny

2. to maintain or defend (claims, rights, etc.).

   Synonyms: support, uphold

3. to state as having existence; affirm; postulate.

   to assert a first cause as necessary.

assert

/ əˈsɜːt /

verb

1. to insist upon (rights, claims, etc)

2. (may take a clause as object) to state to be true; declare categorically

3. to put (oneself) forward in an insistent manner

Other Word Forms

• asserter noun
• assertor noun
• assertible adjective
• misassert verb (used with object)
• overassert verb (used with object)
• preassert verb (used with object)
• reassert verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of assert¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin assertus “joined to, defended, claimed,” past participle of asserere “to join to, defend,” from as- as- + serere “to connect” ( series )

Word History and Origins

Origin of assert¹

C17: from Latin asserere to join to oneself, from serere to join

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. assert oneself, to insist on one's rights, declare one's views forcefully, etc..

   The candidate finally asserted himself about property taxes.

Synonym Study

See declare. See maintain.

Example Sentences

The president, he has asserted, has the power to cancel congressionally-approved spending by using a “pocket rescission,” which would see the administration refusing to spend money on programs it doesn’t support.

From Salon

"Basically there is no legal way to enter the Hungarian territory as a refugee," she asserts.

From BBC

Even as she was asserting control over this crucial Budget process, the bond markets reminded her that they can be just as powerful.

From BBC

However, Djokovic carried on without real problems and, after a sluggish start to the second set, he won four games in a row to assert a two-set lead.

From BBC

Never before has the White House asserted so much direct prosecutorial power over a U.S. city.

From Salon

Related Words

• affirm 
• allege 
• argue 
• cite 
• claim 
• contend 
• defend 
• proclaim 
• profess 
• say 
• stress 
• uphold