Word
insisting
Phoneticsin·sist·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈsɪstɪŋ/
UK/ɪnsˈɪstɪŋ/
Definitions
01demanding firmly
B1 · Intermediate
v. saying something very strongly and refusing to take 'no' for an answer.
v. the present participle of 'insist', used to describe the act of making a firm demand or maintaining a statement despite opposition.
“He was insisting on driving me home even though I told him I could walk.”
“Despite the clear evidence to the contrary, the witness remained adamant, insisting that he had seen the suspect leaving the building at midnight.”
Usage
often followed by the preposition 'on' or a 'that' clause.
Pitfall
She was insisting to pay for the meal.
She was insisting on paying for the meal.
The verb 'insist' and its participle 'insisting' usually take the preposition 'on' followed by a gerund, rather than an infinitive.
Synonyms
02persistent or demanding attention
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. something that continues and is hard to ignore, like a loud noise.
adj. describing a quality that is persistent, urgent, or impossible to ignore; often used for sounds or physical sensations.
“The insisting ring of the telephone finally woke her up.”
“The insisting rhythm of the drums echoed through the valley, making it impossible for the villagers to ignore the approaching celebration.”
Usage
usually placed before the noun it describes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The men’s leaders objected to the plan, insisting that lower-ranking younger soldiers viewed the older officers as father figures and would struggle to cope if separated.” “Rignol has spent over a year in court insisting that Yale used the wrong tools, followed the wrong procedures, asked for the wrong file, and reached the wrong conclusions.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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