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

First free town in the Americas For many Afro-Colombian communities, San Basilio de Palenque has become a powerful symbol of resistance to slavery in the Americas and of the affirmation of ethnic identity and cultural diversity in Colombia and across Latin America. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026

Their logic for staying is not rooted in denial but in affirmation and adaptation. —Magdalena Stawkowski, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026

This can look like writing, visualization, affirmations, reading, or just sitting in stillness. —Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 8 Apr. 2026

Warner Music Group is acquiring the B2B independent music distribution service Revelator, the company announced on Wednesday, the latest affirmation of the hot market for distributors as music companies are looking to capitalize on the indie market. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 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