Meaning

To declare with assurance or plainly and strongly; to state positively..

Definitions by Sense

1. To declare with assurance or plainly and strongly; to state positively.
2. To use or exercise and thereby prove the existence of.
3. To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to.
4. (reflexive) To insist on the legitimacy of one's rights, opinion, etc; not to allow oneself to be dismissed; to ensure that one is taken into consideration; to make oneself respected; to be assertive. See assert oneself.
5. (programming) To declare that a condition or expression must be true at a certain point in the source code (in some cases causing the program to fail if it is not, as a safeguard).
6. (electronics) To set a signal on a line using a voltage or electric current.
7. (programming) Synonym of assertion.

Example Sentences

He would often assert that there was life on other planets.

Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical, others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know.

to assert one's authority

Salman Rushdie has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work.

to assert our rights and liberties

Since going to therapy, I've found it much easier to assert myself.

Word Forms

• asserts
• asserting
• asserted

Synonyms for assert

Antonyms for assert

Related Words

When Should You Use Assert?

Use assert when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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