affirmation

noun

af·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the act of affirming

nodded his head in affirmation

b

: something affirmed : a positive assertion

His memoir is a reflective affirmation of family love.

2

law : a solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines taking an oath

Synonyms

• assertion
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• profession
• protestation

Examples of affirmation in a Sentence

a sworn affirmation that he had never acted as a spy for the enemy

Recent Examples on the Web

Palestinian officials welcomed the announcements as an affirmation of their decades-long quest for statehood in east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip – territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and still controls. —Joseph Wilson, Melanie Lidman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024

Buy Now 12 of 12 Pisces: 'Astrology for the Soul' by Jan Spiller In this iconic book, famed astrologer Jan Spiller offers advice on how to find one’s purpose through astrology, how to understand the karma from past life experiences and gives positive affirmations to help boost self-esteem. —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affirmacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmation, affermacion, borrowed from Latin affirmātiōn-, affirmātiō, from affirmāre "to affirm" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing affirmation

• gender affirmation surgery
• self-affirmation