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

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

Finding others who share those feelings is its own affirmation. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026

The aide nodded in affirmation. —ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026

Dixon noted that the policies concerning the affirmation of transgender ideology are being challenged in a number of blue states. —Louis Casiano , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 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