insistent

adjective

in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce insistent (audio)
Synonyms of insistent
1
: disposed to insist : persistent
2
: compelling attention
the insistent pounding of the waves
insistently adverb

Synonyms of insistent

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Examples of insistent in a Sentence

We listened to the insistent crashing of waves on the beach. Margaret Sanger is remembered as an insistent crusader for birth control.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Daniel Hart was very insistent as well. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 June 2026 The hard-sell approach aims to get the consumer to buy the product or service in the short term; direct and insistent language is used to persuade the consumer to make the purchase. — Ezgi Eyüboğlu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2026 The loud and insistent residents of Monterey Park showed that shaming and pressuring politicians can work. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The landscape is didactic, insistent. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for insistent

Word History

Etymology

Latin insistent-, insistens, present participle of insistere

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insistent was in 1868

Rhymes for insistent

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Insistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insistent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

insistent

adjective
in·​sis·​tent in-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce insistent (audio)
: demanding attention : persistent
insistently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on insistent

Nglish: Translation of insistent for Spanish Speakers

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