self-affirmation
noun
self-af·fir·ma·tion
ˌself-ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 
plural self-affirmations
: the act of affirming one's own worthiness and value as an individual for beneficial effect (such as increasing one's confidence or raising self-esteem)
Patients were also asked to use self-affirmation to help them overcome obstacles to getting better by recalling moments in their lives they were proud of, such as a graduation.—
Lauren Paxman
Lauren Paxman
also
: a statement of self-affirmation
A counselor … told her to stare at her reflection every day and recite self-affirmations like "I am special. There's no one in the world like me." At first she didn't believe the positive words, but repeating the phrases proved magical for her self-esteem … —Elizabeth Atkins Bowman
Elizabeth Atkins Bowman Examples of self-affirmation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gordon gives examples of self-affirmations--facts to say to yourself when feelings of doubt are clouding them--that are science-backed, too.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After spending each waking hour together in Fiji, the queen of self-affirmations visited Boston and met Arenales' mom.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Its six songs, which weave together profound introspection with resolute self-affirmation, are steeped in a folksy warmth à la Leith Ross or Julia Jacklin.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
As a result, Gunna’s music has acquired an undercurrent of anxious self-affirmation and angry defiance.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025
In educational settings, self-affirmation exercises have been effective in reducing the performance gap caused by stereotype threat, particularly among women in STEM fields.
—Essence, 9 May 2025
Research published in Psychological Science suggests that such self-affirmation can improve our insecurities about relationships and reinforce positive social behavior, which can enhance one’s dating life.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This may involve practicing self-affirmation, setting healthy boundaries, and working on internal validation rather than seeking approval from others.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Or start your journey to greatness with this deck of self-affirmations for financial abundance, $32 from Intelligent Change.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
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Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After spending each waking hour together in Fiji, the queen of self-affirmations visited Boston and met Arenales' mom.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Its six songs, which weave together profound introspection with resolute self-affirmation, are steeped in a folksy warmth à la Leith Ross or Julia Jacklin.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
As a result, Gunna’s music has acquired an undercurrent of anxious self-affirmation and angry defiance.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025
In educational settings, self-affirmation exercises have been effective in reducing the performance gap caused by stereotype threat, particularly among women in STEM fields.
—Essence, 9 May 2025
Research published in Psychological Science suggests that such self-affirmation can improve our insecurities about relationships and reinforce positive social behavior, which can enhance one’s dating life.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This may involve practicing self-affirmation, setting healthy boundaries, and working on internal validation rather than seeking approval from others.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Or start your journey to greatness with this deck of self-affirmations for financial abundance, $32 from Intelligent Change.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-affirmation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-affirmation. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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