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Synonym Chooser

How is the word assert distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of assert are affirm, avow, declare, and protest. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When could affirm be used to replace assert?

The words affirm and assert can be used in similar contexts, but affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When might avow be a better fit than assert?

The synonyms avow and assert are sometimes interchangeable, but avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

In what contexts can declare take the place of assert?

While in some cases nearly identical to assert, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

When is it sensible to use protest instead of assert?

While the synonyms protest and assert are close in meaning, protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assert Jim McGovern, a Democratic representative, asserted that Musk used his influence to scuttle the original budget deal in order to get that China provision excised. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 The committee asserts that this change would yield as much as $918 billion in savings over 10 years. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Gaiman has strenuously denied all allegations against him since the Tortoise podcast came out, asserting that all relations were consensual; this new blog post marks his most comprehensive statement on the allegations yet. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025 Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the election and pleaded not guilty to all federal charges, asserting that the accusations are politically motivated. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for assert 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assert
Verb
  • Trump’s election and the activism of conservative investors have many experts declaring that DEI is dead.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Decades before sanctuary cities became a vigorous partisan debate, Sacramento declared itself as one of the first in America.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In his first term, Mr. Trump terminated the status for about 400,000 people from El Salvador and other countries, arguing that conditions there had changed and that the protection was no longer warranted.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Around that time, a few pioneering researchers argued that clinical decision-making should be grounded in the best available evidence.
    Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Regulators and safety advocates insist the reporting requirement is crucial to understanding how well the technology is working — and is necessary to hold carmakers accountable for deaths and injuries when the technology fails.
    Joel Rose, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But Trump insists after charges were dropped following the 2024 election that he was fully exonerated.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Still, American democracy has proven to be resilient, and Congress, the branch of government closest to the people, was coming together to affirm the choice of Americans.
    LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The vice president will read aloud the electoral votes, and then Congress counts each state's results to affirm Trump's victory.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Now after not knowing if her career was over, Prince could contend for an All-American spot, just like Van Lith, who is averaging 18.3 points and a career-high 6.2 assists.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The suit, submitted in U.S. District Court, contends that Black voters, who represent nearly one-third of the county's electorate, face significant barriers to electing candidates of their choice under the current system.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The bills, allegedly out of sync with the film’s $10 million budget, began piling up, including, that source claimed, $122,000 for the Beatles’ shoes.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Last month, Cyclone Chido claimed the lives of more than 100 people in Mozambique and Malawi after devastating the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte and making landfall on mainland Africa.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After another person in the club, who was a medic, proclaimed that Morrison was dead, two drug dealers allegedly moved Morrison to his apartment to cover up the overdose and protect their boss, Count Jean de Breteuil, per Rolling Stone.
    Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
  • But despite proclaiming that the Terps were ready to compete for a conference championship, his tenure has been marked by an inability to get the program over the hump against elite opponents.
    C.J. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That line of reasoning hinges on Homan’s recent request that sanctuary cities like Chicago work with the Trump administration on targeting criminals without proper immigration documentation.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Because South Florida is built on layers of sand and porous limestone, the authors reasoned that these vibrations could have compressed or rearranged sand – much like shaking ground coffee in a tin creates more space.
    Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near assert

Cite this Entry

“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assert. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on assert

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