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assert Meaning & Definition

/əˈsɜːt/

What Does Assert Mean?

Assert is a verb that means To declare with assurance or plainly and strongly; to state positively. It is also used to mean To use or exercise and thereby prove the existence of. As a noun, it means Synonym of assertion. As a noun, it means An assertion; a section of source code which tests whether an expected condition is true.

Word Facts for Assert

Part of speechverb, noun
Pronunciation//əˈsɜːt//
Syllables1
Synonymsaffirm, aver and maintain
Antonymsremit, deny and deassert
Pluralasserts
Verb formsasserts, asserting, asserted

Assert Definition (Verb)

  1. To declare with assurance or plainly and strongly; to state positively.

    He would often assert that there was life on other planets.

  2. To use or exercise and thereby prove the existence of.

    to assert one's authority

  3. To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to.

    to assert our rights and liberties

  4. To insist on the legitimacy of one's rights, opinion, etc; not to allow oneself to be dismissed; to ensure that one is taken into consideration; to make oneself respected; to be assertive. See assert oneself.

    Since going to therapy, I've found it much easier to assert myself.

  5. To declare that a condition or expression must be true at a certain point in the source code (in some cases causing the program to fail if it is not, as a safeguard).
  6. To set a signal on a line using a voltage or electric current.

Assert as a Noun

  1. Synonym of assertion.

Noun

  1. An assertion; a section of source code which tests whether an expected condition is true.

Verb

  1. To specify that a condition or expression is true at a certain point in the code.

Synonyms of Assert

Assert synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Assert

Assert in a Sentence

He would often assert that there was life on other planets.

to assert one's authority

Salman Rushdie has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work.

to assert our rights and liberties

Since going to therapy, I've found it much easier to assert myself.

Word Forms & Grammar

assert (third-person singular simple present asserts, present participle asserting, simple past and past participle asserted)

assert (plural asserts)

Words That Rhyme With Assert

Origin of Assert

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”).

Pronouncing Assert

You say assert as //əˈsɜːt//. It has 1 syllable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Assert

Is assert a verb or a noun?

Assert is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for assert?

Words with a similar meaning to assert include affirm, aver and maintain. See the full list of assert synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of assert?

Antonyms of assert include remit, deny and deassert.

What is the plural of assert?

The plural of assert is asserts.

What is the past tense of assert?

The past tense of assert is asserted. The present participle is asserting.

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