self-assertion

American  

[self-uh-sur-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf əˈsɜr ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. insistence on or an expression of one's own importance, wishes, needs, opinions, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   belligerence, aggressiveness, assertiveness

---

self-assertion British  

noun

1. the act or an instance of putting forward one's own opinions, etc, esp in an aggressive or conceited manner

---

Other Word Forms

• self-asserting adjective
• self-assertingly adverb
• self-assertive adjective
• self-assertively adverb
• self-assertiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of self-assertion

First recorded in 1795–1805

Explanation

A self-assertion is a boastful statement. "I am the greatest!" is a self-assertion. Self-assertion is great if you’re a boxer like Muhammad Ali, but usually annoying if you’re not. An assertion is an opinion like "The Yankees are the best." A self-assertion is a similar claim made about yourself. A low-level politician saying, "I will be President" is making a self-assertion. An athlete saying, "I will win the championship" is making a self-assertion. Self-assertions tend to be a little inconsiderate and arrogant, because self-assertions are usually a form of bragging. Someone who really feels confident probably wouldn't need to make a lot of self-assertions.

Example Sentences

Across the street, at a very on-theme pub called Frankenstein, we raised a pint to this act of self-assertion while watching an animatronic monster descend from the ceiling at 30-minute intervals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

According to Bennett, there is some validity to this, with every Eurovision song falling under six broad lyrical themes: "love, unity, self-assertion, partying, history and songs about making music".

From BBC • May 10, 2025

This stark reality is made painfully real in the flashes of regret that cross Ali’s face and in the occasional bursts of defiant self-assertion that Fetchit, to his credit, doesn’t always walk back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

The songwriter Ileana Cabra, who records as iLe, sings about political and feminist self-assertion alongside songs about toxic and tempting romances.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022

At times shaking my head no is more self-assertion than I can manage.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston