assert
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
-
to maintain or defend (claims, rights, etc.).
-
to state as having existence; affirm; postulate.
to assert a first cause as necessary.
idioms
verb
-
to insist upon (rights, claims, etc)
-
(may take a clause as object) to state to be true; declare categorically
-
to put (oneself) forward in an insistent manner
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
assertsimple
-
assertssimple
-
have assertedperfect
-
has assertedperfect
-
am assertingprogressive
-
are assertingprogressive
-
is assertingprogressive
-
have been assertingperfect progressive
-
has been assertingperfect progressive
Past
-
assertedsimple
-
had assertedperfect
-
was assertingprogressive
-
were assertingprogressive
-
had been assertingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of assert
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” ( cf. series)
Explanation
Asserting is all about standing up for what you believe. You might assert an opinion, your innocence, or even your authority over someone else. The verb assert can be used for both opinions and for oneself. When asked, you can politely assert your desire to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If no one listens to you, you can assert yourself and forcefully state that you really want to go to the amusement park for your birthday. If that fails, you should just take yourself to the amusement park for your birthday. And get better friends.
Vocabulary lists containing assert
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Words That Could Go Either Way: Synonyms for "Maybe"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
She might assert that her mom let her do certain things, or did not have certain rules.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
He pointed to a 2016 case between two mothers, one of whom wanted to assert visitation rights after their divorce.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Raducanu was comprehensively beaten by Cirstea in February, losing 6-0 6-2 in the Romanian's homeland, but was quick to assert herself as she produced another encouraging display in front of her home crowd in London.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
But I feel like somehow I should assert my right to do so.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
