What is the opposite of “insist”?

What is the antonym of “insist”?

The antonyms of insist are yield, give in, and acquiesce. These words convey the opposite meaning of insist, which is to refuse to change one's mind or give up on a demand.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

yield

To give way to pressure or force; to surrender or submit.

Example

After a long negotiation, he decided to yield to the other party's demands.

give in

To surrender or submit to someone or something; to stop resisting.

Example

She didn't want to go out, but her friends kept insisting, so she finally gave in.

acquiesce

To accept or comply with something without protest; to agree or consent passively.

Example

He didn't like the new rules, but he decided to acquiesce and follow them anyway.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Yield implies giving way to pressure or force, while give in suggests surrendering or stopping resistance.
• 2. Acquiesce conveys passive agreement or compliance without protest, while yield and give in imply a more active decision to surrender or submit.

Good things to know

• 1. Negotiations: Use yield or give in to describe a concession made during a negotiation.
• 2. Disagreements: Use acquiesce to describe passive acceptance of a decision or outcome.
• 3. Assertiveness: Use insist to express determination or firmness in a situation.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of insist are yield, give in, and acquiesce. Yield and give in suggest surrendering or stopping resistance, while acquiesce conveys passive agreement. Use these words in negotiations, disagreements, or to express assertiveness.