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 of affirmation

• declaration
• assertion
• insistence

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

The deal was announced hours after New York won the National Magazine Award for general excellence from the American Society of Magazine Editors — a fresh affirmation of the title’s stature in the media industry in an era defined by business model disruption. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 May 2026

The four-movement work begins in anguish but courses through a bucolic, cheerful ländler and a rather violent burlesque before resolving into a final Adagio that critics have long characterized as a quiet but solid affirmation of life. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 14 May 2026

The prestigious award was presented to them by fellow fathers Elton John and David Furnish, who are longtime champions of LGBTQ+ equality and family affirmation. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

Georgiou’s mother, who didn’t speak much English, nodded in affirmation. —Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

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