Definition of assurancenext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word assurance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of assurance are aplomb, confidence, and self-possession. While all these words mean "a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment," 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

When can aplomb be used instead of assurance?

While the synonyms aplomb and assurance are close in meaning, aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations.

handled the reporters with great aplomb

When might confidence be a better fit than assurance?

The synonyms confidence and assurance are sometimes interchangeable, but confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.

the confidence that comes from long experience

When is self-possession a more appropriate choice than assurance?

The words self-possession and assurance can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of assurance Trump’s assurance of safe passage of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz calmed market jitters initially, though shares in Dubai and Abu Dhabi opened sharply down after markets resumed trading for the first time since the war began. Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026 But that assurance didn’t sway Democrats on the committee, who cited last summer’s attempt by committee chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) to sell more than three million acres of federal land as part of the federal budget reconciliation process. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2026 China imports 70% of its oil and gas overall and a majority of its energy comes from the Persian Gulf, according to analysis from Det Norske Veritas, an independent global assurance and risk management provider. Anna Coren, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026 The mellow assurance of Beam’s team of professionals suggests the heyday of Laurel Canyon without quite conjuring any hippie ghosts. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assurance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assurance
Noun
  • Historical paintings don’t come with certificates; experts are increasingly hesitant to express complete certainty, for fear of litigation or reputational damage should they be proven wrong.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
  • In the maelstrom of modern war, presumed certainties crumble like piecrust.
    George F. Will, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Your confidence is boosted by Love Goddess Venus sextiling powerful Pluto — and with Venus in your sign, that boost is even stronger.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Kornet bounced from team to team and nearly out of the league, desperate to recover the sense of satisfaction that came from sinking shot after shot.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Oh, and there’s no prize, except the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Lakers didn’t help themselves by losing their composure.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
  • May 21 – June 20 Certain current messages demand extra composure when communicated.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Shakir Khan, a former Lodi City Council member, was sentenced to three years in the San Joaquin County Jail for a conviction of election fraud and money laundering.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Covington plans to appeal his conviction.
    Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Jackson was renowned for his soaring rhetoric, his role in the civil-rights movement, and his sharp elbows, but what first struck me about him, as a young reporter only a couple of years out of journalism school, was his boundless energy and self-assurance.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
  • In her tenure so far, the CEO has fostered a self-assurance absent from the brand in recent years.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assurance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assurance. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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