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.
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
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.