Definition of: assert

(ə·sûrt′) v.t.
1. To state positively; affirm; declare.
2. To maintain as a right or claim, as by words or force.
3. To insist on the recognition of (oneself): He asserted himself at the conference. [<L assertus, pp. of asserere bind to, claim <ad- to + serere bind]
—as·sert′er, as·ser′tor noun Synonyms: affirm, allege, asseverate, aver, avouch, avow, claim, declare, maintain, pronounce, protest, say, state, tell. One may assert himself, his right, his belief, etc. Assert is controversial; affirm, state, and tell are simply declarative. See AFFIRM, ALLEGE. Antonyms: contradict, contravene, controvert, deny, disprove, dispute, gainsay, oppose, repudiate, retract, waive.