INSISTENT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does insistent mean? 

• INSISTENT (adjective)
  The adjective INSISTENT has 2 senses:

1. repetitive and persistent

2. demanding attention

  Familiarity information: INSISTENT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INSISTENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Repetitive and persistent

Synonyms:

insistent; repetitive

Context example:

the bluejay's insistent cry

Similar:

continual (recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series)

Derivation:

insistence (continual and persistent demands)

insistence (the state of demanding notice or attention)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Demanding attention

Synonyms:

clamant; crying; exigent; insistent; instant

Context example:

an instant need

Similar:

imperative (requiring attention or action)

Derivation:

insistency (the state of demanding notice or attention)

 Context examples 

He did not know what evil was threatened by those insistent hands.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

What kind of a brain lay behind there? was his insistent interrogation.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“Holmes!” in the insistent tone of one who awakens a sleeper.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If your friends keep telling you to leave, perhaps you should consider why they are being so insistent.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

So insistent was my gaze that at last she stirred under the blankets, the top fold was thrown back and she smiled out on me, her eyes yet heavy with sleep.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He was very insistent upon this point, and made me promise it faithfully.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

White Fang growled and growled with insistent warning.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Your family will need you, but so will your boss or client, and both sides will be insistent.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Martin began, that morning, a story which he had sketched out a number of weeks before and which ever since had been worrying him with its insistent clamor to be created.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

These were always males, and they were pressingly insistent on joining with One Eye and his mate.

(White Fang, by Jack London)