# insistence

/ˌɪnˈsɪstəns/ (US) · /ɪnsˈɪstəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insistence
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a firm demand

noun · CEFR B2

the act of demanding that something must happen or be done.

For teachers: the act of demanding something firmly and refusing to accept a refusal or alternative.

- At her insistence, we all wore formal clothes to the dinner party.
- The project was eventually cancelled at the insistence of the board, who remained unconvinced by the projected revenue figures.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'at someone's insistence'.

### 2. stating something is true

noun · CEFR B2

saying something very strongly and repeatedly, especially when others do not believe you.

For teachers: the persistent assertion of a fact or opinion, often in the face of doubt or opposition.

- Despite his insistence that he was innocent, nobody believed his story.
- The scientist's insistence that the data had been tampered with sparked a major investigation into the laboratory's practices.

Usage: Commonly followed by a 'that' clause.

### 3. fencing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

in the sport of fencing, using strength to push an attack through a block.

For teachers: the act of forcing an attack through a parry by using physical strength.

- The fencer scored a point through pure insistence, pushing past his opponent's blade.
- The coach noted that while his insistence was effective against less experienced opponents, it left him vulnerable to a quick counter-attack.

Usage: Specific to the terminology of competitive fencing.

## Examples

- She succeeded because of her insistence on high standards.
- Despite the doctor's insistence that he rest, the athlete returned to training only two days after the injury.
- The project's failure was attributed to the director's stubborn insistence on using outdated software, despite repeated warnings from the technical team regarding its security vulnerabilities.

---

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.