What does "assert" mean?

1. (to state strongly) to say something clearly and firmly so that others know you are sure it is true. 2. (to use authority) to use your power or rights so that people recognise them. 3. (to behave confidently) to behave in a way that shows you have power and should be respected. 4. (programming/electronics) to check that a specific condition is true in a computer program, or to turn on an electrical signal.

How do you use "assert"?

Often followed by a 'that' clause or a direct noun phrase. Commonly used reflexively as 'assert oneself'. In electronics, the opposite is 'deassert'.

assert

US //əˈsɝt// UK //ɐsˈɜːt// as·sert

1 to state strongly (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic

to say something clearly and firmly so that others know you are sure it is true.

to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. Transitive — requires a direct object or a 'that' clause.

Example

The lawyer continued to assert that her client was innocent despite the new evidence.

Example

The report asserts that the current economic downturn is a direct result of global supply chain disruptions rather than domestic policy failures.

Usage

Often followed by a 'that' clause or a direct noun phrase.
- deny
- retract
2 to use authority (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to use your power or rights so that people recognise them.

to exercise or enforce one's authority, influence, or rights to ensure they are recognised.

Example

The director had to assert his authority when the team refused to follow the new rules.

Example

The central bank moved to assert its independence by raising interest rates despite significant political pressure from the government.
- surrender
- yield

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3 to behave confidently (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to behave in a way that shows you have power and should be respected.

to behave in a confident and forceful manner so that one's presence or opinions are taken into account.

Example

You need to assert yourself in meetings if you want your ideas to be heard.

Example

As the youngest member of the board, she found it necessary to assert herself during the heated debates over the merger.

Usage

Commonly used reflexively as 'assert oneself'.
- stand up for oneself
- withdraw
- submit
4 programming/electronics (v.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

to check that a specific condition is true in a computer program, or to turn on an electrical signal.

to verify a logical condition in code or to set a signal line to a specific voltage level.

Example

The program will stop if the code tries to assert a condition that is false.

Example

The system is designed to assert the interrupt signal as soon as the sensor detects a change in pressure.

Usage

In electronics, the opposite is 'deassert'.
- verify
- trigger
- deassert

Origin

From Latin assertus, perfect passive participle of asserō (“declare someone free or a slave by laying hands upon him; hence free from, protect, defend; lay claim to, assert, declare”), from ad (“to”) + serō (“join, range in a row”).

Word family

Verbassert
Adjectiveassertive