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 SmithExamples 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
To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
There are also forms of touch that are used to convey dominance or assert power, or to condescend or signal a superior role.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Violence is for getting your way; for asserting your existence as an individual or a group; for venting torrential feeling; for sadistic pleasure.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Things changed about two weeks into the occupation of Energodar, when agents of the FSB, Russia’s main intelligence service, began to assert a tighter hold over the town.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assert
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Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
There are also forms of touch that are used to convey dominance or assert power, or to condescend or signal a superior role.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Violence is for getting your way; for asserting your existence as an individual or a group; for venting torrential feeling; for sadistic pleasure.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Things changed about two weeks into the occupation of Energodar, when agents of the FSB, Russia’s main intelligence service, began to assert a tighter hold over the town.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assert
Cite this Entry
“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assert. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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