assertion

as·ser·tion | \ ə-ˈsər-shən

How to pronounce assertion (audio)

, a- \

Definition of assertion

: 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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about assertion

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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 Every assertion and conclusion needs thorough research and robust discussion. — Melissa Harris Perry, Glamour, "Sherrilyn Ifill, Civil Rights Superhero," 13 Oct. 2020 Shaw disputes the police's assertion that Stallings tried to pull the suspect away. — Konstantin Toropin And Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, "Footage of a Kansas City officer kneeling on the back of a pregnant woman sparks ongoing protest," 8 Oct. 2020 One White House communications aide denied Kudlow's assertion. — Katherine Doyle, Washington Examiner, "White House accounts conflict on whether Trump worked from Oval Office Tuesday," 7 Oct. 2020 The show completely transformed his image — an assertion further solidified this week by the New York Times’s bombshell investigation on Trump’s taxes. — Washington Post, "Early reviews of ‘The Apprentice’ saw through Trump’s failures as a businessman. It didn’t stop the show from being a runaway hit.," 2 Oct. 2020 Trump’s vaccine rhetoric also provided plentiful openings for Biden to attack the president for ignoring scientific counsel and undermining public trust in vaccines — an assertion that public polls support. — Lev Facher, STAT, "Trump’s debate highlights his hunger for a rushed, election-eve vaccine approval," 29 Sep. 2020 In his departing address to employees in May, Abovitz largely blamed the coronavirus, an assertion that rang false to some people in the audience, according to a person in attendance. — Fortune, "Magic Leap tried to create an alternate reality. Its founder was already in one," 26 Sep. 2020 McCarthy said Wilson can make every throw and marvels that his long ball accuracy is off the charts, an assertion supported by the fact that Wilson averages 9.7 yards an attempt this season. — David Moore, Dallas News, "To get paid like the best, Dak Prescott needs to beat the best. He can start with Russell Wilson.," 25 Sep. 2020 When governance becomes a matter of administrative assertion rather than legislative deliberation, politics becomes a matter of power rather than persuasion. — Adam J. White, WSJ, "‘Law & Leviathan’ Review: Self-Government Minus the Self," 23 Sep. 2020

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

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Learn More about assertion

Dictionary Entries near assertion

assertion of the consequent

Statistics for assertion

Last Updated

18 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Assertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assertion. Accessed 29 Oct. 2020.

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