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

DeSousa explains that Mon Rovîa's lyrics feel like a comforting embrace through the speakers, providing both parents and kids with affirmations to carry throughout the day. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026

That’s what influenced me a lot about love, as well as action, acts of service, and a lot of words of affirmation. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

The 2026 championship is more of an affirmation, a continuation of what the Bruins have done all season en route to an undefeated Big Ten regular season and a school-record 25-game winning streak. —Grace Raynor, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026

The report lamented this deviation from its historical use as a hopeful, sacred affirmation with biblical roots. —Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 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