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

Civil rights leaders also signed an affirmation to support the preservation of Black history. —Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

It’s used as a nod to a man’s accomplishment, an affirmation of his greatness. —Julian Randall, Essence, 29 Apr. 2025

Jason White and the Samples become the collective voices of affirmation. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

So this was a final affirmation of sorts, before Florida gets to the business of trying to cut down the nets on Monday night. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for affirmation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation