assertion

noun

as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən How to pronounce assertion (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In that sense, the order of mandating English serves as a political marker—an assertion of identity in an era of demographic transformation. Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Things that may shimmy and shake, but things nonetheless, not ideological assertions. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 No brusque acceleration but assertions of near-zero inflation clearly ring false. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 The main one is the assertion of judicial power by the Federal Supreme Court and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assertion

Word History

Etymology

see assert

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assertion was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assertion. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

assertion

noun
as·​ser·​tion ə-ˈsər-shən How to pronounce assertion (audio)
a-
: the act of asserting
also : something asserted : declaration

More from Merriam-Webster on assertion

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