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

Esparza The affirmation of others regarding my success was a key indicator. —Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025

In terms of recent affirmation for its technology proposition, Amazon Web Services has noted that Vtex has earned the AWS Consumer Goods Competency designation. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Still, maybe the line can work as an affirmation — a mantra to help Alex make it through the indignities of dishing up breakfast. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025

At a time when women’s identities are under attack, when their rights and very existence are being erased, photographing women is an act of affirmation. —Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 18 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