1. (v. t.) To affirm; to declare with assurance, or plainly and strongly; to state positively; to aver; to asseverate.

2. (v. t.) To maintain; to defend.

3. (v. t.) To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to; as, to assert our rights and liberties.

advance advocate affirm allege allege in support announce annunciate answer argue argue for assever asseverate aver avouch avow brook no denial champion confess contend contend for counter declare defend enunciate espouse express express the belief have hold insist insist on insist upon issue a manifesto lay down maintain make a plea manifesto nuncupate persist plead for pose posit postulate predicate press proclaim profess pronounce propose propound protest put put it quote rebut recite refute relate reply respond riposte say say in defense set down set forth speak speak for speak out speak up speak up for stand for stand on stand up for state stick to stick up for submit support sustain swear take no denial uphold urge urge reasons for vow warrant