# insisting

/ˌɪnˈsɪstɪŋ/ (US) · /ɪnsˈɪstɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. demanding firmly

verb · CEFR B1

saying something very strongly and refusing to take 'no' for an answer.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. persistent or demanding attention

adjective · CEFR B2

something that continues and is hard to ignore, like a loud noise.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is insisting on paying for dinner.
- The manager is insisting that all staff submit their reports by Friday.
- Despite the board's reservations, the CEO remained insisting that the merger proceed without further delay.

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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.