assert

verb

ə-ˈsərt How to pronounce assert (audio)
Definition of assertnext
1
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly a superpatriot who is never afraid to assert her allegiance to flag and country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration asserted that a new roof would be necessary if the church was to remain open

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully vigorously asserted that what passes for art these days is absolute rubbish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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 Even if Trump challenges the decisions, which seems almost certain, the verdicts at the least have the capacity to disrupt his efforts to assert his power in ever more expansive ways. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025 Anya Janssen, an attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates, said that when the DNR approved the permits, Enbridge asserted the impact to water and wetlands would be minimal and temporary. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 In the teaser, Cami Miller (Demi Moore) asserts herself as the new sole owner of M-Tex oil following the death of her husband in Season 1. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025 Racing, owned by sports icon Michael Jordan and Cup star Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports asserted that NASCAR was a monopoly. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assert
  1. declare
  2. argue
  3. insist
  4. affirm
  5. contend
  6. claim
  7. proclaim
  8. reason
Verb
  • Close relatives of the federal official who has accused a Federal Reserve governor of improperly claiming primary residence on two properties have declared the same status on two homes in two different states, public records show.
    — Marisa Taylor, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • He was declared dead at the scene, according to Capt.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of declare
Verb
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But there are Republicans who argue that the changes to Medicaid strengthen the program for the most vulnerable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of argue
Verb
  • Troost-Ekong Pushes Back Against Doubters Visionhaus/Getty Images Captain William Troost-Ekong drew on Nigeria’s history while insisting this is a fresh challenge.
    — Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In the lead-up to this revenge match, Rodgers insisted that this was Week 1, and only Week 1.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of insist
Verb
  • Having breathed in the fresh air of the mountains, affirmed his love for his girlfriend, and taken in the beautiful view, Daniel all but forgets about his fight with his mother.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Since then, however, the court has allowed states to ban gender-affirming care for minors and has agreed to review Idaho’s and West Virginia’s bans on transgender athletes joining sports teams.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of affirm
Verb
  • The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.
    — Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Sunday having lost seven of their last eight games against non-contending teams.
    — Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of contend
Verb
  • In Budapest, after the uprising against the Communist regime, Andor — raised by his mother with idealized tales of his dead father — has his world turned upside down when a brutish man appears, claiming to be his true father.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Roughly $140,000 is claimed to have been spent on this car’s restoration by the consignor prior to its 2019 sale.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of claim
Verb
  • These anchovies, Chris proclaimed, would be delicious simply turned out on a piece of toast.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For that matter, so is the beach around it, with signs proclaiming it private property.
    — A.K. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of proclaim
Verb
  • In this task, intuition is reflected in whether people can suddenly sense connections between things without consciously reasoning them out.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • If making movies couldn’t happen for him, Newell eventually reasoned his next best thing might be to stage movies live.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of reason

Browse Nearby Words

assent (to)
assert
asserted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assert. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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