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

• 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

By aggregating the right data features and triangulating multiple points of affirmation, situational certainty grows strong, enabling confident real-time actions that drive business outcomes. —Bill Waid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Spiritual practices, such as affirmations and manifestations, are commonly incorporated into wellness influencer’s approach to achieving a cleaner and healthier lifestyle. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025

Local activists and leaders have criticized the move and see the removals as an effort to marginalize communities and erase visible affirmations of Black history and pride. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

To Barg, the clearance rate is an affirmation of the unit’s foundational goals. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 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