assert Hear it!

assert definition

as·sert (ə sʉrt′)

transitive verb

  1. to state positively; declare; affirm
  2. to maintain or defend (rights, claims, etc.)

Etymology: < L assertus, pp. of asserere, to join to, claim < ad-, to + serere, join: see series

Related Forms:

assert Idioms

assert oneself

to insist on one's rights, or on being recognized

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

assert Synonyms

assert

v.

  1. To state positively

    state, say, declare, affirm, aver, avow, avouch, attest, profess, asseverate, warrant*; see also declare 1.

  2. To maintain

    cite, allege, advance; see support 2.

to assert is to state positively with great confidence but with no objective proof to assert that human nature will never change; to declare is to assert openly or formally, often in the face of opposition they declared their independence; affirm implies deep conviction in one's statement or the unlikelihood of denial by another she affirmed her innocence; aver connotes implicit confidence in the truth of one's statement from one's own knowledge of the matter; avouch implies firsthand knowledge or authority on the part of the speaker; warrant, in this comparison, is colloquial, and implies positiveness by the speaker I warrant they'll be late again See also syn. study at declare.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

assert Usage Examples

Object

  • primacy: This asserted the primacy of public health over IPR.

Used with why or when

  • what: Black and Minority Ethnic users often did not know about services or the most effective way of asserting what they needed.

Adjective complement

  • female: Playfully asserts female these fil-am experiences its roots in straight will impress.

Modifying Another Word

  • playfully: Playfully asserts female form of sentimentality noteworthy pieces in off your bro.

Preposition: that

  • belief: Consequently, we do not assert that different beliefs are necessarily held in order for antagonists to justify conflicting goals.
assert usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"assert." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/assert>

APA Style

assert. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/assert

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment