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
Those settlements show another, quieter front in China’s expanding efforts to assert its control over disputed, peripheral territories – also playing out in the South and East China Seas – as Chinese leader Xi Jinping seeks to bolster national security and enhance China’s position over its rivals.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
While Venu’s backers have promoted the service as being something new, the lower court asserted that the concept was actually not new, and was also merely an aggregation of 15 linear network feeds.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Avoid the temptation to micromanage and assert control to mitigate this risk.
—Don Yaeger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
This is one of the states where the Trump campaign asserts that the early vote shows elevated turnout from rural voters and decreased voting among African Americans, both of which would spell trouble for Harris.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for assert 
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Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
While Venu’s backers have promoted the service as being something new, the lower court asserted that the concept was actually not new, and was also merely an aggregation of 15 linear network feeds.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Avoid the temptation to micromanage and assert control to mitigate this risk.
—Don Yaeger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
This is one of the states where the Trump campaign asserts that the early vote shows elevated turnout from rural voters and decreased voting among African Americans, both of which would spell trouble for Harris.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 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 26 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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