Assert Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ASSERT

[+ object]

1

:

to state (something) in a strong and definite way

• “Poverty is the city's most serious problem,” the authors assert. = The authors assert that poverty is the city's most serious problem.
• He asserted that there were spies in the government.
• Despite the evidence against him, he has continued to assert his innocence. [=has continued to say that he is innocent]

2

:

to demand that other people accept or respect (something)

• She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment.
• The boss was reluctant to assert his authority over his employees.

assert yourself

1

of a person

:

to speak or act in a strong and definite way

• If you want people to listen to your opinions, you'll need to learn how to assert yourself.
• The coach wants the players to assert themselves [=play more aggressively] on the field.

2

of a thing

:

to become apparent

:

to start to be clearly seen or known

• Doubts about the value of the work began to assert themselves.

— assertion

/əˈsɚʃən/

noun,

plural

assertions

[count]

• I don't always agree with his assertions [=his strong statements] about politics.
• an assertion of innocence

[noncount]

• Getting her own apartment was the first step in the assertion of her independence.

assert

, declare

, affirm

, and

avow

mean to say something in a way that shows you feel strongly about it, usually when you expect someone to disagree or challenge you.

assert

suggests that you are confident about what you are saying and that you do not need proof or evidence.

• The group asserts that the smoking ban will negatively affect restaurant and bar owners.

declare

is used when you are saying something in a public or open way.

• She has declared her support for the candidate.

affirm

is a formal word which suggests that you believe something because of evidence, experience, or faith.

• He again affirmed his belief in the existence of an afterlife.

avow

is also formal and emphasizes that you are being honest or sincere.

• Both avowed that they had nothing to do with the crime.