What does assert mean?

Question

"Wendell feels unsure about how his leadership is going. So he asserts his dominance by demurely approaching Jason holding a tiny disco ball and asking if Jason approves. Jason slaps him and sends him to assert his leadership by buying him a semi-skim chai latte."

I'm confused. What does assert mean? I only know assert means when you state something as being true -- "She asserted she had never seen the man before".

Thanks

Answer 1

In this context it is not used correctly, that is why you are confused. Perhaps the author was so confused as well, the text needs to be edited to make sense.



Assert means you are taking control and showing you are in charge. What makes no sense in this situation is the word "demurely" following, because that means "modest and reserved in manner or behavior." Perhaps the author meant "He attempted to assert his dominance by approaching . . ." or something like that.

Answer 2

Define Demurely

Answer 3

Assert means true.

Answer 4

taking proactive actions or aggressive action. Asserting your will is enforcing forcibly your will or plans on others.

Answer 5

In this case it means he demonstated (or tried to demonstrate) his dominance.

Answer 6

It means to go after, to make yourself mean what you want to say or do. To go after with all your being. Go after what you want.