affirmation

noun

af·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the act of affirming

nodded his head in affirmation

b

: something affirmed : a positive assertion

His memoir is a reflective affirmation of family love.

2

law : a solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines taking an oath

Synonyms

• assertion
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• profession
• protestation

Examples of affirmation in a Sentence

a sworn affirmation that he had never acted as a spy for the enemy

Recent Examples on the Web

The platform includes calming affirmations, standing exercises, an upper body workout with bands and Pilates classes, as well as meditations, breathwork and productivity workshops. —Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Handmade Affirmation Cards The most straightforward way to send yourself a joyful message is through a positive affirmation, and the ones that resonate the most are highly personal. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025

For many faith communities, Pride Month pushes an agenda that demands affirmation and engagement at the expense of our beliefs and traditional moral values. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

A lot of that has to do with the semi-annual versus annual affirmation, that sort of stuff. —Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affirmacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmation, affermacion, borrowed from Latin affirmātiōn-, affirmātiō, from affirmāre "to affirm" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing affirmation

• gender affirmation surgery
• self-affirmation

Rhymes for affirmation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation