assurance

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noun as·sur·ance \ ə-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s \

Definition of assurance

1 :the state of being assured: such as

a :a being certain in the mind

the puritan's assurance of salvation

b :confidence of mind or manner :easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty

spoke with assurance about his future plans

; also :excessive self-confidence :brashness, presumption

c :security

2 :something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence

gave repeated assurances of goodwill

3 :the act or action of assuring someone or something: such as

a :pledge, guarantee

You have my solemn assurance that it is true.

b :the act of conveying real property (see ¹real 1); also :the instrument (see ¹instrument 4) by which it is conveyed

c chiefly British :insurance

See assurance defined for English-language learners

See assurance defined for kids

Examples of assurance in a Sentence

They lent us the money with the assurance that they would be repaid soon.
He has the assurance of continued support from his boss.
He spoke with quiet assurance about his future plans.
She gave him every assurance that she would be there when he returned.

Recent Examples of assurance from the Web

Mustafi joined the Gunners for £35m from Valencia just last summer, but his future has recently become the subject of speculation and Wenger refused to present any concrete assurances when directly quizzed on the matter by the press this week.

— SI.com, "Wenger Fails to Rule Out Shock Mustafi Exit as Legend Blasts Leaky Gunners Defence," 26 Aug. 2017
Several studies can also give some assurance regarding the clientele.

— chris goldstein, Philly.com, "Philly420: Bombastic opposition to Mt. Airy cannabis dispensary is unjustified," 22 Aug. 2017
But his application was incomplete, and despite assurances that the needed information would be provided, Gong — who also could not be reached for comment — hasn’t followed through, Eldredge said.

— rick romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Big deals don't always work: Massive electronics plant just over Illinois border stands vacant," 20 Aug. 2017
The U.S. probably will seek assurances that Colombia is taking seriously a surging coca production that’s been blamed partially on Santos’ decision in 2015 to stop using crop-destroying herbicides.

— jill colvin, The Seattle Times, "Venezuela expected to dominant Pence’s Latin American trip," 13 Aug. 2017
What the Panthers didn’t do during training camp is receive complete assurance that their most important player will soon be back to full strength.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "After limited camp, Panthers have a plan to get Cam Newton ready for Week 1," 13 Aug. 2017
Despite the assurance of the simplest recipes, the phase change from liquid to solid still seems like alchemy.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Make Ice Cream," 4 Aug. 2017
Users must have assurances that their robots are under complete authorized control—24/7/365.

— bill huang, Scientific American Blog Network, "Robots with Their Heads in the Clouds," 2 Aug. 2017
The b’hoys, feeling taunted by a Brit in their backyard, made assurances of their own.

— betsy golden kellem, Smithsonian, "When New York City Rioted Over Hamlet Being Too British," 19 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of assurance

see assure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

assurance Synonyms

Synonyms

confidence, assuredness, certainty, certitude, cocksureness, conviction, doubtlessness, face, positiveness, satisfaction, sureness, surety

Antonyms

doubt, incertitude, nonconfidence, uncertainty

Related Words

authoritarianism, dogmatism; decisiveness, determination, firmness, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve

Near Antonyms

hesitancy, hesitation, indecisiveness, irresolution; disbelief, incredulity, unbelief; anxiety, concern, misgiving; distrust, mistrust, suspicion

Synonym Discussion of assurance

confidence, assurance, self-possession, aplomb mean a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.

- the confidence that comes from long experience

assurance carries a stronger implication of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity in assessing one's own powers.

- handled the cross-examination with complete assurance

self-possession implies an ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control and command of one's powers.

- answered the insolent question with complete self-possession

aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations.

- handled the reporters with great aplomb

ASSURANCE Defined for English Language Learners

assurance

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noun

Definition of assurance for English Language Learners

: the state of being sure or certain about something
: a strong feeling of confidence about yourself or about being right
: a strong and definite statement that something will happen or that something is true

ASSURANCE Defined for Kids

assurance

play

noun as·sur·ance \ ə-ˈshu̇r-əns \

Definition of assurance for Students

1 :the act of making sure or confident

You have my assurance that it's true.

2 :the state of being sure or confident

I lent him money with assurance that I would be repaid.

3 :self-confidence She spoke of her plans with quiet assurance.

Law Dictionary

assurance

noun as·sur·ance

legal Definition of assurance

1 a :the act of assuring

b :guarantee 3

2 :the act of conveying real property; also :the document by which it is conveyed

3 chiefly British :insurance

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See words that rhyme with assurance Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for assurance Spanish Central: Translation of assurance Nglish: Translation of assurance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of assurance for Arabic speakers

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ASSURANCE Defined for English Language Learners

assurance

Definition of assurance for English Language Learners

ASSURANCE Defined for Kids

assurance

Definition of assurance for Students

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assurance

legal Definition of assurance

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