v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' s ə rt, a-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Latin assertus, past participle of asserere, from ad- + serere to join ― more at SERIES
Date: circa 1604
1 : to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
2 a : to demonstrate the existence of < assert his manhood ― James Joyce> b : POSIT , POSTULATE
– assert oneself : to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one's rights
synonyms ASSERT , DECLARE , AFFIRM , PROTEST , AVOW mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection. ASSERT implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence < asserted that modern music is just noise>. DECLARE stresses open or public statement < declared her support for the candidate>. AFFIRM implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith < affirmed the existence of an afterlife>. PROTEST emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt < protested that he really had been misquoted>. AVOW stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared < avowed that all investors would be repaid in full>. synonym see in addition MAINTAIN