# assert

/əˈsɝt/ (US) · /ɐsˈɜːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assert
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to state strongly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

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

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

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

### 2. to use authority

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The director had to assert his authority when the team refused to follow the new rules.
- The central bank moved to assert its independence by raising interest rates despite significant political pressure from the government.

### 3. to behave confidently

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 4. programming/electronics

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- She continues to assert her innocence despite the evidence.
- The manager had to assert his authority when the team refused to follow the new safety protocols.
- While the software is designed to assert certain security protocols automatically, the user must still manually verify that the underlying network remains encrypted during the entire data transfer process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.