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'Assert' is driving me crazy!

TheDethroneOfBtc
Guys, I went through the whole subreddit and I am not entirely sure what 'assert' means to its core. It means: Declare, say, state, gain, maybe it means 'show' as well? IDK! Please Help!

12 comments

Ssessen49•
If I think you don't believe in or agree about something, I may assert that thing to you such that you will understand it as I want you to.
FloridaFlamingoGirl•
State something confidently and forcefully 
ExtinctFauna•
Think of its noun form: assertion. Lawyers deliver assertion. Politicians deliver assertions.
ExistentialCrispies•
There are two usages that sort of have the same base meaning. You can assert an idea, and you can assert yourself. The first one is to make a claim or implication. It's more than just flatly stating a fact though, it's usually some sort of opinion about something or someone, something that's not obvious or objective fact to everyone else. You're pushing your idea out there to someone. "Henry resented John's assertion that he had something to do with Mary's firing" The second usage is to insert oneself into a situation or position with confidence and force. "You're not going to simply be given more responsibility in the company unless you assert yourself more"
mulch_v_bark•
It means to declare, usually forcefully or in a context where the statement might be doubted or disputed.
ThreeFourTen•
It doesn't mean 'show'; more like 'claim'.
OctopodsRock•
In the world of computers and testing software, it means something is on, or activated. You may not need to know this meaning, but it is relevant to my career.
SnooDonuts6494•
As always, it depends on the context. But generally, it means to clearly and strongly state a fact. To declare that something is unquestionaly so - factual, with no room for argument or discussion. "To declare formally and distinctly, to state positively, aver, affirm" - OED. You can *assert* that something is true through a statement, or by showing something. Often it's "asserted her authority" — to strongly declare she us the boss, perhaps through her actions or words. "I'm in charge here; I'll decide". Or to "assert your innocence" when accused of a crime. To adamantly, strenuously declare or demonstrate that you were not at fault. Does that help?
8696David•
Assert has several fairly closely-related meanings. Most commonly it would be used for stating something as a fact confidently and/or forcefully. “He asserted that the data showed no correlation” implies that he is being a bit stronger or more definitive than “he stated that…”  In another sense, the sense of “assert one’s authority,” it means to behave in such a manner, with confidence and surety, that others will recognize said authority. “The general often treated the lower ranking officers harshly to assert his authority.”  Similarly, to “assert yourself” is to behave confidently or forcefully, maybe to get yourself recognized or have your voice heard. “If you are being ignored at work, you need to assert yourself or you’ll never get anywhere.”  To be “assertive” is to act in such a way that’s consistent with these definitions. If I say “she was a very assertive person,” it would mean that she makes her opinions known and often states her mind in a confident way. 
Salindurthas•
If I had to author a definition, I'd try: >to make it clear to others that you: hold some belief, claim something as fact, will (or won't) take some action, or that you have some right or power. Especially if done in a bold manner. This can be done through either statement or action. So I can assert things with words by just making claims (especially if they are bold), like: * "Icecream is by far the best snack food." * "I'm the tallest man alive." * "I will never support you ever again." those 3 things are assertions. (They would technically still be assertions even if they were more muted, like "I like icecream." or "I'm fairly tall.", but they wouldn't *feel* assertive.) But we can also assert things by acting in a way that demonstrates our rights or powers, like: * Imagine I'm your boss, and I fire you from your job, even though your supervisor advises keeping you. In this case, I've asserted my authority over both you and your supervisor. * Imagine that I drive a bus of disabled people to a voting booth. I'm allowing them to assert their political power, whereas before, their disability prevented them from asserting it by making it hard for them to vote. * Imagine that I'm a crime-lord, and when a lackey fails me, I beat them them up in front of my other lackies. We could say that I'm asserting my dominance over them.
rpsls•
It can mean to make a statement that you believe to be true. It can also mean to do something to demonstrate something to be true, such as taking an action to "assert dominance". Basically, though, it's about expressing your truth.
mulch_v_bark•
It means to declare, usually forcefully or in a context where the statement might be doubted or disputed.