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

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

Does your child prefer words of affirmation? —Gail Cornwall, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026

During the same legislative session, lawmakers banned gender-affirmation surgery in prisons and prohibited transgender health care for minors. —Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026

Olitzky’s Yom Kippur sermon was a welcome affirmation of the synagogue’s core values, Siegel felt. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 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