Insistence
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 The state of being insistent. countable, uncountable
"He made gourd-rattles (known in ever so many parts of the world) in which he rattled dried seeds or small pebbles with a most beguiling and rain-like insistence[.]"
- 2 the act of insisting on something wordnet
- 3 An urgent demand. countable, uncountable
- 4 continual and persistent demands wordnet
- 5 The forcing of an attack through the parry, using strength. countable, uncountable
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- 6 the state of demanding notice or attention wordnet
Example
More examples"Now it is true that I believe this country is following a dangerous trend when it permits too great a degree of centralization of governmental functions. I oppose this — in some instances the fight is a rather desperate one. But to attain any success it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything — even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon "moderation" in government."
Etymology
From Middle English insistence, derived from Old French insister (“to insist”). Compare Middle French insistance. Morphologically insist + -ence.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.