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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | insistere 'to stand on, continue with determination', from sistere 'to stand' |
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in‧sist S3 W2
[intransitive]
[intransitive]1 to say firmly and often that something is true, especially when other people think it may not be true
insist (that) 
Mike insisted that he was right.His friends insisted he had no connection with drugs.
Mike insisted that he was right.His friends insisted he had no connection with drugs.2 to demand that something should happen : Stay for supper - I insist! We insist on the highest standards of cleanliness in the hotel.
Stay for supper - I insist! insist (that) They insisted that everyone should come to the party. He insisted I should take a taxi.
They insisted that everyone should come to the party.He insisted I should take a taxi.We insist on the highest standards of cleanliness in the hotel.3 used when agreeing to do something that you do not really want to do : 'Why don't you call them up today?' 'Oh, if you insist!'
if you insist
spoken'Why don't you call them up today?' 'Oh, if you insist!'4 to keep doing something, especially something that is inconvenient or annoying : She will insist on washing her hair just when I want to have a bath.
insist on doing something
She will insist on washing her hair just when I want to have a bath.