1) Affirm 2) Affirm positively 3) Assert 4) Declare earnestly 5) Insist 6) Maintain 7) State categorically 8) Take a firm stand 9) To affirm 1) Allege 2) Assert 3) Aver 
• (v. t.) To affirm or aver positively, or with solemnity.
As·sev'er·ate transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Asseverated ; present participle & verbal noun Asseverating ] [ Latin asseveratus , past participle of asseverare to assert seriously or earnestly; ad + 
maintain verb state categorically
to declare earnestly or solemnly; affirm positively; aver.