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Definition of insist verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    insist

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//ɪnˈsɪst//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they insist
     
    he / she / it insists
     
    past simple insisted
     
    -ing form insisting
     
     
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  1. 1[intransitive, transitive] to demand that something happens or that someone agrees to do something I didn't really want to go but he insisted. Stay and have lunch. I insist! “Please come with us.” “OK, if you insist.” insist on something/somebody doing something (formal) She insisted on his/him wearing a suit. insist that… He insists that she come. Thesaurusdemand
    • expect
    • insist
    • ask
    • require
    These words all mean to say that someone should do or have something.
    • demand to ask for something very firmly; to say very firmly that someone should have or do something:She demanded an immediate explanation.
    • expect to demand that someone should do, have, or be something, especially because it is their duty or responsibility:I expect to be paid promptly for the work.
    • insist to demand that something happens or that someone agrees to do something:She insisted that I go with her. We insist on the highest standards at all times.
    • ask to expect or demand something:You're asking too much of him.
    demand, expect, or ask?
    • Ask is not as strong as demand or expect, both of which can be more like a command.
    • require [often passive] (somewhat formal) to make someone do or have something, especially because it is necessary according to a law or set of rules or standards:All candidates will be required to take a short test.
    Patterns
    • to demand/expect/ask/require something of/from somebody
    • to demand/expect/insist/ask/require that…
    • to expect/ask/require somebody to do something
    • to demand/expect/ask/require a lot/too much/a great deal
    • to be too much to expect/ask
  2. 2[intransitive, transitive] to say firmly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you insist on something He insisted on his innocence. insist (that)… He insisted (that) he was innocent. + speech “It's true,” she insisted.
    3. Phrasal Verbsinsist oninsist on doing
See insist in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: insist

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