demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal:she insisted on carrying her own bag [with clause]:he insisted that she came
(insist on) demand forcefully to have (something):he insisted on answers to his allegations
(insist on) persist in (doing something):the heavy studded boots she insisted on wearing
[reporting verb] state positively and assertively: [with clause]:the chairman insisted that all was not doom and gloom [with direct speech]:‘I really am all right now,’ Isabel insisted
