insist

verb

1. 1

   To hold up a claim emphatically.

   The defendant insisted on his innocence.

   I insist that my secretary dresses nicely.

   But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud,[…]. We began to tell her about Mohair and the cotillon, and of our point of observation from the Florentine galleried porch, and she insisted she would join us there.

   Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster.

2. 2

   To demand continually that something happen or be done; to reiterate a demand despite requests to abandon it.

   The Prime Minister insisted on his Chancellor's resignation.

   The Prime Minister insisted that his Chancellor resign.

   I insist that my secretary dress nicely.

   I know I promised to pay you back tomorrow, but it's not very convenient for me. Can we put it off to Friday? —I'm afraid I have to insist on what we agreed.

3. 3

   obsoleteTo stand (on); to rest (upon); to lean (upon).

   Angles likewise which insist on the Diameter, are all Right Angles.

Forms

past tense

insisted

past participle

insisted

present participle

insisting

third person singular

insists