insist

The word “insist” means to state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement. In plain terms, to keep firmly demanding or stating something, and not back down.

“Insist” is pronounced ihn-SIHST (/ɪnˈsɪst/ in IPA).

Here is “insist” used in a sentence: “She insisted that she had locked the door.”

“Insist” is a verb.

The word “insist” comes from Latin. From Latin insistere ("to stand upon, persist"), from in- + sistere ("to stand").

“Insist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Insist takes "on" — or the more formal "upon" — before a noun or -ing form: "she insisted on paying," "he insists upon silence." "Insist to do something" is incorrect; use "insist on doing" or a that-clause instead.

To insist is to state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement — it is about asserting a point or requirement. To persist is to continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition. You insist that you are right; you persist in trying.

Both involve pressing firmly, but demand focuses on requiring an action or thing from someone, often from a position of authority, while insist emphasizes refusing to back down from a statement or position. You can insist that something is true without demanding that anything be done about it.

When insist introduces a requirement, formal English — especially American English — uses the subjunctive: "she insisted that he be on time." When insist simply reports a firm assertion of fact, the ordinary indicative is used: "he insisted that he was innocent."