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

Reliving the gut-wrenching final battle between Toothless and the giant Alpha queen dragon also hits home the importance of a simple apology as well as words of affirmation, from Stoic the Vast, specifically, who previously had not really respected his son’s way of thinking. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 June 2025

Wilson saw that video on the way to the bus, and simply nodded in affirmation. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 June 2025

No victory is claimed other than sculpture’s public affirmation of its difference from fetish and spectacle and its persistence to operate in opposition, in public space. —Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Cashiers, delivery workers, day care employees do not seek any privilege — only acknowledgement and affirmation. —Christine Lightfoot, Baltimore Sun, 25 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