insist on/upon
idiom
1
: to say or show that one believes that something is necessary or very important
My source insisted on anonymity.
She insists on doing everything her own way.
2
informal
: to continue doing (something that other people think is annoying or unimportant)
The people sitting next to us insisted on talking during the entire movie.
Examples of insist on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These foods insist on time and care—caramelization via the Maillard reaction is a central component of all cooking, a transformation from inedible to life-sustaining.
—
Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
However, Abdi was acutely aware that that was something Hoshi's father would insist on doing himself, so had to be careful.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Bravo to the Californians who insist on letting the sunshine in.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
So, too, are teenagers, who are stubborn enough to insist on their interpretation of reality in the face of adult frustration.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insist on/upon
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
However, Abdi was acutely aware that that was something Hoshi's father would insist on doing himself, so had to be careful.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Bravo to the Californians who insist on letting the sunshine in.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
So, too, are teenagers, who are stubborn enough to insist on their interpretation of reality in the face of adult frustration.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insist on/upon
Cite this Entry
“Insist on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insist%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share