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

• declaration
• assertion
• insistence

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

What started as a playful affirmation craze turned into a global conversation about mindset and the power of expectation. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

These lists are signifiers of a certain standard, affirmation that celebrities and artists have tastes that reflect our own. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 June 2025

Entrance is at 19 Bridgewater St. Saturday, June 28 Youth Pride 2025, Manhattan The city’s official celebration designed to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ youth returns to the South Street Seaport for another afternoon of love, acceptance and affirmation. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025

Quackenbush carries this magical energy into her menu, imbuing each dish and cocktail with positive affirmations, spellwork, and Filipino flavors. —Elazar Sontag, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 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