affirmation

noun

af·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce affirmation (audio)
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

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 In the years since, his work has been celebrated for refusing to provide that affirmation, for enabling Black characters to escape the archetypes—the slave, the Glock star, the welfare queen—to which they’ve been confined. Maya Binyam, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 That meant making my regular cup of coffee, and having my personal time before the kids got up, doing my hair and makeup, saying my affirmations, and going through my planner, getting organized. As Told To Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024 Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, agrees with her dear friend’s affirmations. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024 The two of them text almost every morning with some positive affirmation — a nice way to start the day. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Jan. 2024 Foster’s teenage face, hesitating and deflecting, is read as affirmation of their own experience in the world and in history. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024 The comedian and TikTok influencer sings Taylor Swift in the car, and posts fun affirmations and candid mental health chats on @olivermillsn. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024 They’re invested in affirmations, being able to speak things into existence. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2024 Regardless of the genre, the lyrics include affirmations that impart powerful messages about confidence, friendship, and community. Okla Jones, Essence, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affirmation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of affirmation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near affirmation

Cite this Entry

“Affirmation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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