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 SmithSynonyms
Examples 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
At a contentious House committee hearing last year, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew asserted that forcing ByteDance to divest its ownership stake in the app would not change how TikTok operates.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
Turner’s opening statement asserted that EMTALA does not require doctors to break state laws to provide stabilizing emergency medical care.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
Google asserted that the protests created an uncomfortable environment for other employees and emphasized that staff can use internal forums to address grievances rather than resort to protests that impede business.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Starbucks has refuted these accusations, asserting its adherence to labor laws and affirming its commitment to upholding employees' freedom to decide on unionization.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
To assert that a language has not just a history but also a future requires, in most cases, the mobilizing of people, resources, and social pressure: a language movement.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
But consumer advocates have long asserted that utilities find loopholes around such rules through the long and complex rate recovery process at the California Public Utilities Commission, confirmed through extensive reporting by the The Sacramento Bee.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
In two nearly identical lawsuits filed on Thursday against Ovation Fertility in Newport Beach, California, two unnamed couples are asserting multiple claims, including negligent misrepresentation, fraud, negligence and medical battery.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
On its website, the group asserts that at risk are 500 jobs connected to glyphosate production in Iowa, and 800 jobs in Idaho.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
Turner’s opening statement asserted that EMTALA does not require doctors to break state laws to provide stabilizing emergency medical care.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
Google asserted that the protests created an uncomfortable environment for other employees and emphasized that staff can use internal forums to address grievances rather than resort to protests that impede business.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Starbucks has refuted these accusations, asserting its adherence to labor laws and affirming its commitment to upholding employees' freedom to decide on unionization.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
To assert that a language has not just a history but also a future requires, in most cases, the mobilizing of people, resources, and social pressure: a language movement.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
But consumer advocates have long asserted that utilities find loopholes around such rules through the long and complex rate recovery process at the California Public Utilities Commission, confirmed through extensive reporting by the The Sacramento Bee.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
In two nearly identical lawsuits filed on Thursday against Ovation Fertility in Newport Beach, California, two unnamed couples are asserting multiple claims, including negligent misrepresentation, fraud, negligence and medical battery.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
On its website, the group asserts that at risk are 500 jobs connected to glyphosate production in Iowa, and 800 jobs in Idaho.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near assert
Cite this Entry
“Assert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assert. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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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