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

Small affirmations of love and gratitude help keep the emotional connection alive. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

In September 2023, for instance, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required courts to consider affirmation of gender identity when making child custody and visitation decisions. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025

Beyond positive affirmation, ask: Are workloads unrealistic? —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Intentionality is powerful On the way to drop his daughter off at kindergarten in the morning, Williams recites affirmations with her, hoping to teach her about positive self-talk. —Elise Devlin, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 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