assertion

noun

as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən 

a-

: the act of asserting or something that is asserted: such as

a

: insistent and positive affirming, maintaining, or defending (as of a right or attribute)

an assertion of ownership/innocence

b

: a declaration that something is the case

He presented no evidence to support his assertions.

Synonyms

• declaration
• claim
• insistence
• allegation

Examples of assertion in a Sentence

the assertion that all men have certain unalienable rights is set forth in the Declaration of Independence

made the unlikely assertion that gravity affects light

Recent Examples on the Web

Lacking confidence in the government's assertions of safety, many now only drink bottled water. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025

The network claimed that the series’ producers violated their contract by not providing finished episodes to its censors in a sufficiently timely manner (an assertion that would not pass muster in a subsequent civil-court case won by the brothers). —Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Think of it as six months of shadow work, self assertion, and courage, now culminating in a fiery climax. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 5 Oct. 2025

Evaluating defamation claims where the report contains demonstrably false factual assertions. —Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see assert

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing assertion

• self-assertion

Rhymes for assertion

• cistercian
• coercion
• desertion
• exertion
• insertion
• mercian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Kids Definition

assertion

noun

as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən 

a-

: the act of asserting

also : something asserted : declaration