assert

verb

as·​sert ə-ˈsərt 

a-

asserted; asserting; asserts

transitive verb

1

a

: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively

The suspect continued to assert his innocence.

b

: to compel or demand acceptance or recognition of (something, such as one's authority)

… the confrontations that inevitably occur [between orangutans] when several males try to assert dominance …

—NationalGeographic.com

Wallace asserted control early—shutting down both candidates when they tried to talk over one another, and shushing the audience when it reacted too audibly.

—Glenn Thrush

2

a

: to demonstrate the existence of

He wished to vindicate himself in some way, to assert his manhood.

—James Joyce

b

: posit, postulate

assertible

ə-ˈsər-tə-bəl 

a-

adjective

an assertible defense

Phrases

assert oneself

1

: to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one's rights

… she wants him to learn to assert himself with people in positions of authority.

—Malcolm Gladwell

… a long-suffering Irish community asserted itself by putting its own politicians in power.

—Ellis Cose

2

: to become more strongly apparent : to become clearly seen, known, or experienced

Unbidden, a glint asserts itself in Ms. Brown's eyes …

—Joanne Kaufman

… a passion that through its long suppression was now asserting itself with volcanic necessity.

—Zadie Smith

Synonyms

• affirm
• aver
• avouch
• avow
• declare
• guarantee
• lay down
• profess

Choose the Right Synonym for assert

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection.

assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

synonyms see in addition maintain

Examples of assert in a Sentence

He asserted that there were spies in the government.

She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment.

The boss was reluctant to assert his authority over his employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sophisticated military computer systems powering Stanislav’s screen were aggressively asserting that five nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles were inbound, launched from the United States. —Will Cady, SPIN, 30 Oct. 2024

His legal team had argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

What’s more, Martin asserted that his X posts with the same content were being suppressed on the platform formerly known as Twitter and now owned by avid Trump supporter Elon Musk. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024

The 6'10 power forward, who is already one of the best bully-ball players in the league, is now given ample space to assert himself as just that, and should defenses decide to send double-teams his way, his court vision is strong enough to spot the open man, and quickly. —Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin assertus, past participle of asserere, from ad- + serere to join — more at series

First Known Use

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing assert

• assert itself

Kids Definition

assert

verb

as·​sert ə-ˈsərt 

a-

1

: to state clearly and strongly

2

: to make others aware of

assert your rights

Legal Definition

assert

transitive verb

as·​sert ə-ˈsərt 

: to present and demand recognition of

assert a claim

assertion

ə-ˈsər-shən 

noun