affirmative

play

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

Definition of affirmative

1 :asserting that the fact is so

gave an affirmative answer

affirmative proof

2 :positive

an affirmative approach

3 :favoring or supporting a proposition or motion

an affirmative vote

was on the affirmative side in the debate

4 logic :asserting a predicate of a subject

—

affirmatively

adverb

- responded affirmatively

See affirmative defined for English-language learners

See affirmative defined for kids

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer.

Recent Examples of affirmative from the Web

His executive orders have targeted immigration, while his Justice Department started a review of affirmative action in colleges and joined a suit to halt the spread of gay rights in the workplace.

— Fortune, "Trump Administration Sued Over Transgender Soldier Ban," 28 Aug. 2017
Sample headlines: What equality really means: An Asian-American take on affirmative action to ‘

— megan schellong, USA TODAY College, "Check out these 5 student digital media orgs with campus editions," 24 Aug. 2017
White people in the U.S. benefitted from redlining, the G.I. Bill of Rights and, even today, white women benefit the most from affirmative action laws.

— lara witt, Harper's BAZAAR, "White Liberals Still Don’t Understand White Supremacy," 16 Aug. 2017
This demographic projection dominates the president's domestic wish list (deportation, dismantling affirmative-action, and restricting immigration), as well as this new wave of white nationalist attack on American soil.

— rich benjamin, Esquire, "Charlottesville Is the Fulfillment of Trump's Promise to 'Take Your Country Back'," 14 Aug. 2017
The affirmative vote looms large for 21 GOP lawmakers, including Young, who represent competitive congressional districts around the country where Democrat Hillary Clinton won or came close in last year’s presidential election.

— thomas beaumont, The Seattle Times, "Swing-district House GOP feel the heat on health care," 11 Aug. 2017
Affirmative action policies at colleges and universities are being reviewed by the Justice Department.

— Time, "How Trump’s Policies Are Fueling the Culture Wars," 9 Aug. 2017
Killing affirmative action in higher education would seem like the next logical step.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "How Jeff Sessions Might Channel the Far-Right Crusade Against Affirmative Action," 5 Aug. 2017
Whether affirmative action is helpful at all is debatable.

— david harsanyi, National Review, "Get Government Out of Discrimination in College Admissions," 4 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affirmative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

see affirm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative

1 :an expression (such as the word yes) of affirmation or assent

2 :the side that upholds the proposition stated in a debate

3 logic :an affirmative (see ¹affirmative 4) proposition

— in the affirmative

:with an affirmative reply :with a reply that means "yes"

He answered in the affirmative.

See affirmative defined for English-language learners

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

see affirm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

affirmative Synonyms

Synonyms

yes, yea

Antonyms

nay, negative, no, non placet

Related Words

pro; acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, permission, sanction

Near Antonyms

con; blackball, veto; declination, denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection, turndown

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

affirmative

play

adjective

Definition of affirmative for English Language Learners

: saying or showing that the answer is “yes” rather than “no”

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for Kids

affirmative

play

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

Definition of affirmative for Students

1 :saying or showing that the answer is "yes"

He gave an affirmative answer.

2 :being positive or helpful

Take an affirmative approach to the problem.

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative for Students

1 :an expression (as the word yes) of agreement

2 :the side that supports or votes for something

Law Dictionary

affirmative

play

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

legal Definition of affirmative

1 :asserting the existence of certain facts especially in support of a cause of action

affirmative proof

2 :resulting from an intentional act

affirmative concealment

3 :involving or requiring application of effort

an affirmative duty

4 :favoring or supporting a proposition or motion

an affirmative vote

—

affirmatively

adverb

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for affirmative Spanish Central: Translation of affirmative Nglish: Translation of affirmative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of affirmative for Arabic speakers

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affirmative

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affirmatively

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Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of affirmative

Other Logic Terms

affirmative

Definition of affirmative

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

affirmative Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for English Language Learners

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for Kids

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for Students

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for Students

Law Dictionary

affirmative

legal Definition of affirmative

affirmatively

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