insist

Universal Words verb ~ (on sth) 1 to demand that sth happens or that sb agrees to do sth: [V] I didn't really want to go but he insisted. * Stay and have lunch. I insist! * 'Please come with us' 'Very well then, if you insist.' * (formal) She insisted on his / him wearing a suit. * [Vthat] He insists that she come. * (BrE also) He insists that she should come. 2 to say firmly that sth is true, especially when other people do not believe you: [V] He insisted on his innocence. * [V(that)] He insisted (that) he was innocent. [also Vspeech] PHRASALVERBS insist on / upon sth to demand sth and refuse to be persuaded to accept anything else: We insisted on a refund of the full amount. * [+-ing] They insisted upon being given every detail of the case. insist on doing sth to continue doing sth even though other people think it is annoying: They insist on playing their music late at night.