insist

insist
in|sist
W2S3 [ınˈsıst] v
[Date: 1500-1600; : Latin; Origin: insistere [i]'to stand on, continue with determination', from sistere 'to stand']
1.) to say firmly and often that something is true, especially when other people think it may not be true
insist (that)
Mike insisted that he was right.
His friends insisted he had no connection with drugs.
insist on
She kept insisting on her innocence.
2.) to demand that something should happen
Stay for supper - I insist!
insist (that)
They insisted that everyone should come to the party.
He insisted I should take a taxi and offered to pay for it.
We insist on the highest standards of cleanliness in the hotel.
insist on/upon doing sth
He insisted upon checking everything himself.
3.) if you insist
spoken used when agreeing to do something that you do not really want to do
'Why don't you call them up today?' 'Oh, if you insist!'
4.) insist on doing sth
to keep doing something, especially something that is inconvenient or annoying
She will insist on washing her hair just when I want to have a bath.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • insist on — (also insist upon) [phrasal verb] 1 insist on/upon (something) or insist on/upon doing (something) : to say or show that you believe that something is necessary or very important My source insisted on anonymity. She insists on doing everything… …   Useful english dictionary

  • insist — takes several constructions in current English in the meaning ‘to assert as a demand’: you can insist on something (or on doing something), you can insist that something be done (subjunctive, with that optionally omitted, or with should as an… …   Modern English usage

  • Insist — In*sist , v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Insisted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Insisting}.] [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist; pref. in in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See {Stand}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To stand or rest; to find… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • insist — I verb accent, accentuate, argue, be obstinate, be peremptory, be resolute, bid, brook no denial, command, contend, demand, dictate, efflagitare, emphasize, enforce, enjoin, exact, exert pressure, exhort, exposcere, force upon, importune, impose …   Law dictionary

  • insist — ► VERB 1) demand or state forcefully, without accepting refusal or contradiction. 2) (insist on) persist in (doing). ORIGIN Latin insistere persist , from sistere stand …   English terms dictionary

  • insist on — index call (demand), constrain (compel), enforce, enjoin, order, require (compel) …   Law dictionary

  • insist — (v.) 1580s, from L. insistere persist, dwell upon, stand upon, from in upon (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + sistere take a stand (see ASSIST (Cf. assist)). Perhaps in some cases a back formation from insistence. Related: Insisted; insisting …   Etymology dictionary

  • insist — [v] order and expect; claim assert, asseverate, aver, be firm, contend, demand, hold, importune, lay down the law*, maintain, persist, press, reiterate, repeat, request, require, stand firm, swear, take a stand*, urge, vow; concepts 49,53 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • insist — [in sist′] vi. [MFr insister < L insistere, to stand on, pursue diligently, persist < in , in, on + sistere, to stand, redupl. of stare, STAND] to take and maintain a stand or make a firm demand: often with on or upon vt. 1. to demand… …   English World dictionary

  • insist — in|sist [ ın sıst ] verb intransitive or transitive *** 1. ) to say very firmly that something must happen or be done: You must see a doctor immediately; I insist. Roger, he insisted, we must hurry. insist (that): She insisted that we stay at her …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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