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

Some cars passing by honked their horns in affirmation of the group’s actions. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

And the 1932 prize was Langmuir's moment - the system’s recognition of one of its own and the public affirmation of a man who had always believed in his own brilliance. —Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026

The heart of the play lies in gently unpicking and expanding its own optimism, because Brasch, while avoiding soupy affirmation, also doesn’t want things to get too grim. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026

In the end, though, this move and this moment are more an affirmation of Payton’s trust and confidence in Webb rather than a self-indictment. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 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