asserted; asserting; asserts
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
NationalGeographic.comWallace 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
Glenn Thrush
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
Malcolm Gladwell… a long-suffering Irish community asserted itself by putting its own politicians in power.—Ellis Cose
Ellis Cose2
: to become more strongly apparent : to become clearly seen, known, or experienced
Unbidden, a glint asserts itself in Ms. Brown's eyes …—Joanne Kaufman
Joanne Kaufman… a passion that through its long suppression was now asserting itself with volcanic necessity.—Zadie Smith
Zadie SmithSynonyms
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
Turning her childhood bedroom into a zone of maximal coziness—including, recently, with the addition of a white Aeron chair—was a way of asserting control.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
The Final Two Pockets Of Spending Are Hidden From View
Economists have long asserted that soaring premiums suppress wage growth.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Already, in the immediate aftermath of the election, leading Russian propagandists have asserted that Moscow doesn’t care about any peace initiatives and warned the United States not to issue ultimatums.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Earlier on Wednesday, the union representing the department’s rank-and-file officers, whose complaints to county officials triggered the report, asserted that their recent public criticism of Corpus only had to do with her job performance.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for assert 
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Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
The Final Two Pockets Of Spending Are Hidden From View
Economists have long asserted that soaring premiums suppress wage growth.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Already, in the immediate aftermath of the election, leading Russian propagandists have asserted that Moscow doesn’t care about any peace initiatives and warned the United States not to issue ultimatums.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Earlier on Wednesday, the union representing the department’s rank-and-file officers, whose complaints to county officials triggered the report, asserted that their recent public criticism of Corpus only had to do with her job performance.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for assert
Dictionary Entries Near assert
Cite this Entry
“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assert. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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